Professor Stefan Krause
Professor of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry at University of Birmingham
Earth and environmental sciences
Outdoorsy by nature, Stefan Krause’s research is inspired by the time he has spent climbing, hiking and exploring the natural world. From the shape of a mountain valley to the lichens growing on a rock face, he has always been fascinated by how landscapes are shaped and how complex environmental systems connect.
A self-described "systems thinker", Stefan studies pollutants in our water and air, including microplastics and other emerging contaminants. Rather than looking at environmental challenges in isolation, he investigates how different pressures, from human activity and pollution to climate change, interact and affect both people and the ecosystems we live in.
Stefan believes that some of the best ideas come from being inspired by the curiosity of others. He places people and human behaviour at the heart of sustainability, recognising that even the most promising technical solutions can only succeed if they are practical, accessible and embraced by society. Through extensive collaborations with industry, policymakers and social scientists, he has seen how turning good ideas into real-world change requires more than scientific innovation alone.
Through his research, Stefan encourages people to look beyond environmental headlines and see the bigger picture. He challenges us to look closer to home when thinking about plastic pollution, recognising that its impacts are unfolding not just in our oceans, but in the rivers, soils and freshwater systems around us. By understanding how pollution, climate and human behaviour interact, he hopes to help develop solutions that work for both people and the planet.
