Jonathan Ritson

Jonathan Ritson is a Research Fellow in Geography, focusing on environmental science and peatland ecosystems. He is Co-Investigator on a UKRI-funded greenhouse gas removal project and has held roles at Green Alliance and Imperial College London. His research addresses climate change impacts on peatlands, carbon cycling, and sustainable development goals. Ritson holds a PhD in environmental engineering (Imperial College London), MSc in physical geography (King's College London), and BSc in Chemistry (University of York).

Research Interests: His work centers on peatland ecology, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem services. Key topics include peat formation, Sphagnum moss resilience, microbial communities in carbon cycling, and policy frameworks for carbon offsetting. Ritson collaborates globally, contributing to UN SDGs related to climate action and sustainable ecosystems.

Awards & Activities:

• Recipient of the Best Outstanding Contribution to Research Impact (2023)
• Best Speaker Award at the Rank Symposium (2024)
• Bezos Earth Fund ideation prize (2024)

He delivers invited talks on carbon policy and hosts academic visitors. Ritson is a peer reviewer for the British Ecological Society and engages in public outreach via platforms like Pint of Science.

Media Impact: His work has been featured in 19+ news outlets, including studies on UK peatland vulnerability and 'super moss' research funded by Amazon.