Our Spotlight On series celebrates our academics’ global impact. Karen Johnson is a Professor of Environmental Engineering and a passionate advocate for soil health. She believes soil is an under-appreciated resource that can help address a range of environmental challenges.
Karen’s work focuses on rebuilding degraded soils and championing soil health both with policy makers and the public. She advocates for the benefits that healthy soils can deliver, from increased carbon storage to improved flood prevention.
Whilst the environment and circular economy have always interested Karen, her passion for soil came slightly later. After studying Natural Sciences, Karen worked in the water industry but realised her interest lay in research.
She studied for a PhD with esteemed geologist, the late Paul Younger. Through her research work Karen learned about the importance, complexity and benefits of soil – igniting a passion that has fuelled her career for over 20 years.
Karen joined Durham University in 2005 and has become a leader in the campaign for soil improvement, regeneration and protection.
She believes that soil has been woefully undervalued for too long, in large part because little is taught about the importance of soil.
One of her most significant scientific contributions has been her collaborative work on how manganese oxides trap carbon in solid form, effectively removing it from the atmosphere.
This work, published in the journal Nature, has led to the development of the “mineral carbon pump” concept. This concept explains how minerals in soil can either build up or break down carbon, storing it or releasing it into the atmosphere.
Karen views her impact on policy as one of her greatest achievements. She and her team were instrumental in helping the Environmental Audit Committee launch the UK Government’s first ever Inquiry into soil health in 2015 and she gave oral evidence at both this and the latest one in 2023.
However, her commitment to championing the importance of soil health does not stop there.
Karen is working with other leaders in this field, including Jane Goodall and Giuliana Furci, to encourage the UK Government to include the benefits of healthy soil in primary school education.
She is also partnering with the charity OASES (Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists) and six schools in North East England to test out approaches to this.
Karen’s current research work focuses on the SMART soils project – Soil Microbiome Augmentation and Restoration Technologies – where she collaborates with biologists studying the soil microbiome.
Looking ahead, Karen has two clear goals. First, to build on Durham University’s investment in SMART soils to create a step change in engineering approaches to transform degraded lands. Second, to continue raising soil health on the political agenda and advocate for its inclusion in school curriculum.
Karen’s work highlights connections that many overlook – from research showing that touching soil improves immune system function to demonstrating how healthy soils help address climate change and water management challenges.
Her mantra is that ‘a nation that rebuilds its soils can rebuild itself’, a spin on a warning from Franklin D. Roosevelt that ‘a nation that destroys it soil destroys itself’.
Through her research and advocacy Karen is ensuring that a humble, yet vital, resource receives the attention and care needed, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable landscapes.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/83431-1920X290.jpg)