Lorraine Maltby

Professor Lorraine Maltby, OBE, is a distinguished academic at the University of Sheffield, specifically within the School of Biosciences and the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences. She currently serves as the Deputy Vice-President for Research at the university (2017–2022). With a career spanning over three decades at the University of Sheffield, she has held various significant roles including Head of the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences (2008-2012) and progression from Lecturer to Professor of Environmental Biology (2004).

• PhD – University of Glasgow (1984)
• BSc – University of Newcastle (1981)

Research Interests:

Professor Maltby is a leading expert in freshwater ecology and ecotoxicology, focusing on the impacts of anthropogenic activities on freshwater ecosystems. Her research examines how pollution and climate change affect these delicate environments and the ecosystem services they provide. She aims to develop a mechanistic understanding of key ecosystem services and the ecological processes that underpin them, particularly how they are affected by human inputs and activities.

Her recent publications reflect her research focus on topics such as spatial variation in macroinvertebrate sensitivity to chemicals, linking ecotoxicity to ecosystem service damage, and heterogeneity in biological assemblages for chemical risk assessment.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Environmental Biology and Animal and Plant Sciences (2020)
• Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (2021)
• Elected Fellow of the Freshwater Biological Association (2019)
• Portrait of a Woman Exhibition (2017)
• Elected Fellow of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2016)
• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Environmental Education Award (2009)
• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Exceptional Service Award (2005)

Professional Activities:

Professor Maltby has significant leadership and service roles in her field, including:

• Chair of UK-SCAPE Programme Advisory Board
• Chair of Irish Research Council COALESCE International Review Panel
• Member of NERC peer review panels
• Member of European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals Scientific Committee (2010-)
• Member of European Food Safety Authority Stakeholder Bureau (2023-)
• Member of SETAC Panel on Chemicals Management (2023 - )