Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is now recognised as a defining challenge for engineering, building design, and public health resilience.
In a mid-morning panel on day one of the ARBS 2026 seminar program, leading experts from Australia and abroad explore the latest science, breakthrough technologies, and global momentum toward cleaner indoor environments.
Designed for engineering and HVAC sector leaders, the session will translate emerging knowledge into practical pathways for action.
Professor Jason Monty, head of electrical, mechanical and infrastructure engineering at the University of Melbourne, will open the discussion by sharing insights from a diverse portfolio of real-world projects—including Pathways to Clean Indoor Air, the innovative pilot program backed by the Victorian Government.
With deep hands-on experience across complex building systems, Monty will highlight engineering-led solutions that are already reshaping how institutions manage air quality.
Associate Professor Suman Majumdar from the Burnet Institute will bring a critical public health perspective to the discussion.
Drawing on his expertise in infectious diseases and health system resilience, Majumdar will explore why indoor air quality must increasingly be treated as a core component of public health protection and pandemic preparedness.
ASHRAE president, Bill McQuade, will bring a global engineering perspective to the discussion. As a leading voice in building standards, HVAC innovation, and healthy building design, McQuade will offer insights into the latest ASHRAE developments, international best practice, and the opportunities ahead as Australia and the US converge on next-generation IAQ standards.
Dr Bronwyn King AO will close the session with a global update, drawing on her work across multiple international initiatives advancing healthy indoor air.
She will highlight emerging policies, international partnerships, and new momentum in the global IAQ movement—showcasing how nations are beginning to align around a shared vision for clean indoor air.
Together, the panel will “clear the air” on what’s possible—and what’s urgently needed—providing engineering and HVAC leaders with a forward-looking roadmap for healthier, safer, and more resilient indoor environments.