Emma Johnston

For the supercentenarian, see Emma Verona Johnston.

Emma Johnston AO FAA FTSE FRSN
Emma Johnston at the 2016 NRM Science Conference, University of Adelaide
Alma mater	University of Melbourne
Awards	2012 NSW Science and Engineering Awards; 2014 Nancy Willis Medal for Women in Science; 2018 Clarke Medal
Scientific career
Fields	Marine ecologist
Institutions	University of New South Wales
Thesis	Effects of transient copper pollution events on the ecology of marine epifaunal assemblages
Doctoral advisor	Mick Keough

Emma Letitia Johnston AO FRSN FAA FTSE is an Australian marine ecologist and academic. As of 2024 she is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney, due to take up her appointment as Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne from February 2025. She was formerly dean of science and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of New South Wales, as well as president of Science & Technology Australia.

Early life and education

Emma Letitia Johnston grew up near the sea, and spent much time swimming, snorkelling and sailing as a child. Her father was an applied mathematician and her mother a painter.

Johnston studied physics and chemistry in high school, and not biology. However, she decided to focus on biology in her undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science) at the University of Melbourne, which she completed in 1998 with first class Honours. In 1994 Johnston was elected president of the Melbourne University Student Union, at the time the largest student organisation in Australia, for 1995.

Johnston completed her PhD in marine ecology in 2002 at the University of Melbourne.

Career

Johnston joined University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) as an associate lecturer in 2001.

She became head of the Applied Marine and Estuarine Ecology Lab at UNSW and led major projects for industry, government, the Australian Research Council and the Australian Antarctic Science Program. She was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UNSW.

Johnston was the inaugural director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program, a flagship research project at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. She was director of the project in 2012.

She was Dean of Science at UNSW until July 2022, when she was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney.

Johnston has been appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne from February 2025.

Research

Johnston's research group at UNSW investigated the ecology of human impacts in marine systems, combining the diverse disciplines of ecology, microbiology and ecotoxicology to expand fundamental understanding and provide recommendations for management. Her research is conducted in such diverse field environments as Sydney Harbour, Antarctica, the Great Barrier Reef, and temperate Australian estuaries.

Among Johnston's significant research findings is the discovery that toxic contaminants facilitate the invasion of coastal waterways by non-indigenous species. Some of her research topics include: determining the major drivers of marine bio-invasions, the vulnerability of Antarctic marine communities, and developing new biomonitoring techniques and informing the development of effective management of biodiversity in Australian estuarine systems.

Other activities

Johnston is also a high-profile science communicator, winning the 2015 Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research. She is a regular media commentator and, as co-presenter of the Foxtel/BBC television series Coast Australia. has helped take Australian marine science to an international audience. She also launched a Sydney Harbour cruise called Underwater Secrets' – Sydney Harbour Revealed, which focuses on scientific research into the waterway.

As president of Science & Technology Australia, Professor Johnston is also a public advocate for science and for increasing the participation of women in research.

Recognition and awards

Johnston was a 2007 winner of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science's Tall Poppy Award for her research into the effects of introduced species and contaminants on existing Australian marine species.

In 2012, Johnston was named NSW Scientist of the Year for Excellence in Biological Sciences (Plant, Agriculture and Environment) in the NSW Science and Engineering Awards.

In 2014 she won the inaugural Australian Academy of Science Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science. This medal was presented to Johnston at Science at the Shine Dome on 28 May 2014.

In 2015 Johnston won The Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry AU Mid-Career Medal for excellence in scientific work in Australasia that has involved substantial environmental toxicology and chemistry. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales (FRSN).

Johnston was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to higher education, particularly to marine ecology and ecotoxicology, as an academic, researcher and administrator, and to scientific institutes." In September 2018 she was named one of The Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence in the Innovation category.

In December 2018 she was awarded the Clarke Medal by the Royal Society of New South Wales.

Johnston was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) in 2019, and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2022.

Publications

As of 2017, Johnston had published over 112 peer-reviewed works.

External links

• Official profile at the University of New South Wales
• One Plus One "Nature Plus Nurture" Summer Series: Emma Johnston Interview with Jane Hutcheon, ABC TV, broadcast 7 January 2016.