Decoding messages from nature - Andrew Johnson, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

In this episode I speak with Andrew Johnson, Environmental Research Scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Visiting Professor at Brunel University.

Andrew and I have a fascinating discussion about the current state of scientific research and public discourse on chemicals, and how a different approach might ultimately lead to better outcomes for wildlife. 

Our conversation covers:

• Andrew's background and research interests

• What's wrong with the way we do research on chemicals?

• Endocrine disruption and uncovering population-relevant effects

• Insights from 30 years of monitoring data on macroinvertebrate diversity in English rivers

• The issue of combined sewer overflows

• Why monitoring data is so valuable, and so underappreciated

• Problems with the Water Framework Directive 

• Risk assessment of chemicals and the mixture assessment factor (MAF)

• Are we prioritising the wrong things?

• Perverse incentives in research 

• Science in the media and improving public discourse

• Advice for early career scientists

Zinc and Copper Have the Greatest Relative Importance for River Macroinvertebrate Richness at a National Scale | Environmental Science & Technology

Are we going about chemical risk assessment for the aquatic environment the wrong way? | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry | Oxford Academic

How to be a Better Scientist | Andrew Johnson, John Sumpter | Taylor & Francis