Karen Johnson (scientist)

Karen Johnson is a British geologist who is a professor in environmental engineering at Durham University. She was awarded the 2023 Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award.

Early life and education
Johnson studied hydrogeology at University College London. After earning her master's degree in 1995, she joined the water industry. She eventually returned to academia and completed a doctoral degree at Newcastle University with Paul Younger. She stayed at Newcastle as a postdoctoral researcher.

Research and career
In 2005, Johnson joined Durham University, where she was made Professor of Environmental Engineering. Her work considers waste water, and the identification of strategies to treat waste water. Alongside treating waste water in the United Kingdom, Johnson has worked on various international ecology projects, including investigating the interplay between land insecurity and poverty.

Awards and honours

 * 2011 Philip Leverhulme Prize in Engineering
 * 2023 Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award