Matthew Johnson

Matthew Johnson is an Associate Professor and Director of Research in the School of Geography at the University of Nottingham. He holds a BSc in Geography from the University of Nottingham (2005), an MSc in Environmental Monitoring for Management from Loughborough University (2006), and a PhD in Environmental Science from Loughborough University (2011). His research focuses on understanding interactions between hydrological, geomorphological, and ecological processes in rivers to inform sustainable management. Key areas include aquatic organism-river dynamics, pollution impacts, and integrative river management frameworks.

Teaching includes modules such as Rivers in the Landscape (2nd year) and Freshwater Management (3rd year), emphasizing fieldwork and practical engagement with practitioners. His research collaborations span global projects in the USA, China, Brazil, and the UK, addressing challenges like invasive species (e.g., signal crayfish), microplastic pollution, and climate-driven river warming. He advocates interdisciplinary approaches to tackle environmental issues, emphasizing the role of geographers in orchestrating solutions to global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.

Johnson has supervised numerous PhD students, many of whom now work in river management and research roles. His work integrates ecological processes into policy frameworks, with a focus on resilience to environmental stressors. Current projects explore river restoration, One Health frameworks in tropical wetlands, and the mitigation of pesticide pollution in catchments.

He is also involved in advancing methods for monitoring river health, including AI-driven satellite imagery analysis and citizen science initiatives. His contributions bridge academia and practice, aiming to enhance both scientific understanding and real-world environmental stewardship.