Sander Bruun

Sander Bruun is an Associate Professor at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. He has been with the university since 2007, previously working at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University as an Assistant Professor (2004-2007) and Research Assistant (1999-2001).

His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (2004), an M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Copenhagen (1999), and undergraduate studies in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics at the University of Copenhagen (1990-1992).

Bruun's research focuses on organic matter in soil and its degradability, with particular emphasis on carbon sequestration, soil quality, plant nutrition, and the environmental consequences of applying waste and residual biomass. His work incorporates mathematical modeling of soil organic matter dynamics, isotopic methods for studying nutrient cycling, and life cycle assessments of agricultural systems. He has developed expertise in soil organic matter fractionation, near infrared spectroscopy, and statistical analysis of agricultural data.

His recent research output shows a strong focus on greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems, particularly nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄), as well as sustainable nutrient management practices including cover crops, biochar, and alternative fertilization strategies. His work bridges fundamental soil science with practical agricultural applications aimed at mitigating climate change impacts.

Bruun has received media attention for his work on biochar and pyrolysis technology as potential solutions for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, with interviews in Danish media in 2009.

As an educator, he teaches four university courses ranging from introductory "Natural Resources and Ecology" to advanced environmental science topics. He has been responsible for developing and teaching a course on "life cycle assessment within biological production systems" since 2009 and has contributed to Ph.D. courses on isotope methods and plant nutrition. He has supervised numerous B.Sc. and M.Sc. projects and co-supervised one Ph.D. project.