Prof. Bridget Emmett

Bridget is UKCEH's Science Area Head for Soils and Land Use (SLU) which involves leadership and management of more than 80 research staff and 40 postgraduate students across three UKCEH sites – Bangor, Lancaster and Wallingford.  Research in the Soils and Land Use team covers a wide range of disciplines and expertise including plant ecophysiology, soils, ecology, biodiversity, molecular ecology; catchment science, biogeochemistry and ecosystem science working across many habitats from agricultural land to upland, coastal and urban systems. Our research teams tackle urgent challenges such as the need for cleaner air, more sustainable land management practices, restoring soil health, climate mitigation as well as developing new opportunities for policy and business such as green finance and net zero.  

Bridget personally has research expertise concerning: the impact of land management on natural capital and ecosystem services; drivers of change in soil structure, function and soil health; impacts of air pollution and climate change; and new knowledge and modelling systems to support policy development. Her primary research has included exploration of the nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, vegetation composition, water quality and greenhouse gas emissions and their integration at the ecosystem level.

Current Role:

Head of Soils and Land Use Science Area for CEH. Resposibility for 60 staff across 3 CEH sites working in a mix of research areas involving all apsects of soil health and land use including various aspects of ecosystem services, natural capital and the land-sea interface.

Head of UKCEH Bangor station. 

Career History:

2017 -              Appointed as UKCEH Science Area Head for Soils and Land Use. 

2009 - 2017     Return to duties as Head of Site CEH Bangor; Head of ‘Emmett’ Section (Band 3[S]); and appointed Leader of CEH Soils Science Area

2008 - 2008     Acting CEH Director Biogeochemistry (Band 2 [S]) (6 months)

2004 - 2008     Head of Site Bangor, Deputy Director of Biogeochemistry, CEH, and Head of ‘Emmett’ Section (Band 3[S])

2001 - 2004     Director of CEH-Bangor, Band 3[S]

1998 - 2001     Principal Scientific Officer Band 4 [S],  Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH - a organisation formed from 4 NERC Institutes: ITE, IFE, IH and IVEM)

1994 - 1998     Senior Scientific Officer Band 5 [S], ITE Bangor

1988 - 1994     Higher Scientific Officer Band 6 [S], Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE), Bangor