MrRob McHenry
Lecturer
Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/School of Engineering
- LecturerFaculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/School of Engineering
- +61 3 522 73845 (Work)
- Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Engineering Education & Professional Practice Research
- Engineering practice ethnography; focusing on the sociotechnical nature of engineering work and early‑career transitions
- Capability development, reflective practice, WIL, authentic assessment
- Practice‑informed hydrogen education and professional‑skills development
- Curriculum co‑design with industry, students, and educators
Technical Expertise
- Engineering project management
- Root‑cause analysis & systems engineering
- Fatigue, durability, and noise and vibration (NVH) testing
- Experimental design, validation, and test planning
- Product verification, data interpretation, and engineering problem‑solving
Critical contributor (research, SME consultation, content development, review) on the national hydrogen‑skills initiative delivered between Engineering Education Australia, the Deakin Hydrogen Hub (formerly Hycel), and Deakin Learning Futures (DLF). This project produced a coherent suite of micro‑credentials used across Australia to upskill practising engineers and career‑changers entering the hydrogen sector.
Course suite (FutureLearn):
- Handling Hydrogen for Engineers — https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/handling-hydrogen-for-engineers
- Hydrogen Engineering: Fuel Cell Fundamentals — https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/hydrogen-engineering-fuel-cell-fundamentals
- Exploring Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems & Balance of Plant — https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/exploring-hydrogen-fuel-cell-systems-and-balance-of-plant
- Hydrogen Engineering: Electrolyser Fundamentals — https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/hydrogen-engineering-electrolyser-fundamentals
- Hydrogen in the Built Environment — https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/hydrogen-in-the-built-environment
The free pilot MOOC and Research underpinning the succesful funding of this expansion project was led by Rob, available at:
- MOOC, The Role of Hydrogen in the Clean Energy Transition: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/the-role-of-hydrogen-in-the-clean-energy-transition
- Publications
McHenry, R., Krishnan, S., & Tuck, L. (2024). Knowledge, skills, and attributes needed for developing a hydrogen engineering workforce: A systematic review of literature on hydrogen engineering education. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 72, 380–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.05.380
McHenry, R., Krishnan, S., Beer, A., & Tuck, L. (2025). Towards the development of hydrogen engineering education curriculum in Australia: Recommendations from the world of engineering practice. Australasian Journal of Engineering Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/22054952.2025.2559486
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, in partnership with FutureLearn, selected this course to be included in their Education for Sustainable Development portfolio.
GRANTS
- CONTRACT RESEARCHDesign and delivery of a Graduate Certificate of Secondary Design and Technologies.15 Feb 2023 - 27 Mar 2026People funded by this grant:
- INTERNAL GRANTEngineering Professional Practice Resource HUBFaculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment1 Mar 2021 - 31 Dec 2022People funded by this grant:
- McHenry R