At the end of September 2025, Professor Andrew Hursthouse retired from University of the West of Scotland after 35 years.

Here, fellow academic and alumnus, Dr Iain McLellan writes a tribute to him and the impact of his environmental science work.

I had a look through my lecture notes to see when I first met Andrew and it was 24 years ago this month when I had a lecture from Dr Hursthouse on soils. Back then I didn’t understand why I was listening to a lecture on soils in a first-year chemistry module. Little did I know that Andrew would become my Honours Supervisor, my PhD Supervisor, my Mentor and my friend.

Graduating with a BA (Hons) in Geochemistry from University of Reading in 1986, Andrew went on to Glasgow University to complete his PhD in Environmental Radioactivity, based in the Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre, in 1989.

Following a year as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at University of Glasgow, where he was researching the environmental impact of Dounreay Nuclear Processing Site, Andrew joined Paisley College of Technology in 1990 as a temporary lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry.

With that position becoming permanent in 1992, Andrew went on to become a Senior Lecturer in 1994, Professor in 2002 and held the position of Assistant Dean of Research for the School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences at the University.

Over his career, Andrew has made an exceptional contribution to environmental science, authoring over 300 publications with more than 9,000 citations and being recognised in the Elsevier/Harvard top 2% citation scores for three consecutive years.

His research has shaped global understanding of environmental geochemistry, earning him international fellowships, editorial leadership across major journals, and invitations to speak worldwide. He has influenced policy and practice through his work with government panels and environmental organisations, while mentoring over 40 PhD and MPhil students.

In total he has led over 80 funded projects totalling more than £12 million.

Outside of UWS, he is a former Trustee at Environmental Protection Scotland and was President of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry & Health.

This demonstrates the hard work and dedication Andrew has put into, not only protecting the environment, but also mentoring and leading the next generation of environmental scientists.

Andrew, thank you for all your support you’ve shown me. I wouldn’t be in this job if it wasn’t for you and huge congratulations on your retirement from all former students and staff at UWS!