Professor Matthew Harrison is a leading expert in sustainable agriculture with an outstanding track record of impact. He leads the Carbon Storage Partnership, an initiative developing pathways to progress the Australian livestock sector toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. His people-centred approach, engaging with more than 17,000 farmers and stakeholders across regional Australia, drives technology adoption and practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Harrison works with governments on climate policy, contributing to legislation that has prevented more than 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. His expertise in carbon reductions and removals has shaped the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme and influenced international carbon markets.

Harrison’s far-reaching impact was acknowledged with the 2023 Tasmanian Premier’s STEM Scientist of the Year award.

Professor Matthew Harrison has an outstanding track record of impact through bottom-up and top-down approaches that have improved the productivity, environmental stewardship and prosperity of the agricultural sector. Impact has emanated via extensive participatory end-user engagement, policy co-design and substantial influence on academia. He has led the interactive engagement of more than 17,000 industry stakeholders through participatory action research, manifold forms of extension, decision-support tools and extension legacy, such as training courses. Harrison’s work with State and Federal Government has impacted legislated policies for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation and climate change adaptation that have prevented >3.6M tonnes CO2-equivalents from entering the atmosphere. His enormous impact on scholarly peers is evidenced by authoritative reviews in top-tier journals, multiple Associate/Executive Editorships, and multiple Adjunct Professorships at international universities. Harrison’s recognition as change-agent was underscored with the 2023 SALRC Research Excellence Award and the Tasmanian Premier’s STEM Researcher of 2023.