Projects per year
Organisation profile
Organisation profile
Research at the ERI currently focuses on four primary themes:
Peatlands: Studying peatland resilience across scales and disciplines
The team works in the Flow Country peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland. This is the largest blanket bog system in Europe and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape is changing fast due to restoration, development, and more frequent climate extremes. Our work provides evidence to shape policy and practice for a resilient peatland future. We support wider research access and coordinate the Flow Country Research Hub.
Peatland resilience in a changing world
Fate of organic matter
Sustainable land use and thriving communities
Pollution: Investigating environmental contamination and developing sustainable solutions
We assess the occurrence, behaviour, and effects of contaminants including pharmaceuticals, plastics, and metals. We evaluate risks to biodiversity at multiple levels and support decision makers through the One Health agenda. We lead the UHI WaterHub to address drinking water and wastewater challenges in rural regions.
Sustainable water quality management and wastewater treatment
Monitoring and assessing impacts of pollutants
Minimising pollution in rural sectors
Preventing harm from priority pollutants
Energy: Renewable energy and the environment
We study how renewable energy development interacts with the environment and communities. Our work supports Scotland’s energy goals and helps shape sustainable approaches for wind, wave, and tidal systems. We combine measurements, experiments, modelling, and remote sensing across ecology, oceanography, and socioeconomics.
Renewable energy and the environment
Oceanographic and hydrodynamic understanding
Innovative sensors, platforms, and measurement techniques
Energy systems
Society: Connecting environment, economy, and wellbeing through place-based innovation. This theme focuses on rural, remote, coastal, and island communities where environmental and social systems are closely linked. We support inclusive growth and resilience across the Highlands and Islands and contribute to Scotland’s fair transition.
Circular economy
One Health
Transition to net zero
Sustainable and regenerative land use
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
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Collaborations from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Profiles
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Roxane Andersen
- Environmental Research Institute - Senior Research Fellow
Person: Academic - Research and Teaching or Research only
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Christine Anderson
- Environmental Research Institute - Net Zero Hub Coordinator
Person: Academic - Research and Teaching or Research only
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Steven Andrews
- Environmental Research Institute - Flow Country World Heritage Project Coordinator
- UHI Inverness - Curriculum Development Officer and Lecturer in Geography
Person: Academic - Research and Teaching or Research only, Academic - Teaching only
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FilaChar: Circular biochar solutions for quaternary wastewater treatment
Pap, S. (PI)
30/07/26 → 30/01/27
Project: Research
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Investigating whether a One Health approach can be used to address load reduction of pharmaceuticals under the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
Niemi, L. M. (PI) & Gibb, S. (CoI)
1/11/25 → 31/10/26
Project: Research
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Active peatland and peatland condition: NatureScot Research Report 1404
Andersen, R., Bischoff, M., Johnstone, H. & Large, D. J., 27 May 2026, NatureScot. 53 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open Access -
An individual‐based model to quantify the non‐breeding season impact of wind farms on seabirds
Buckingham, L., Masden, E. A., Layton‐Matthews, K., Bringsvor, I. S., Bråthen, V. S., Dehnhard, N., Fauchald, P., Lorentsen, S., Reiertsen, T. K., Searle, K. R., Tarroux, A. & Christensen‐Dalsgaard, S., 21 Jan 2026, In: Ecological Solutions and Evidence. 7, 1, e70196.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Autonomous Radar Ornithology: Benchmarking Automated Bird Detection and Tracking
Jones, A., McCann, D., Mitchell, L. J., McIlvenny, J. & Williamson, B., 9 May 2026, In: IET Radar, Sonar & Navigation. 20, 1, 13 p., e70163.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile18 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Peat characteristic data from Blanket Peatland in the Flow Country, Caithness and Sutherland, 2018
Marshall, C. (Creator), Andersen, R. (Creator), Sterk, H. P. (Creator), Gilbert, P. J. (Creator) & Large, D. J. (Creator), Natural Environment Research Council, 27 Sept 2021
DOI: 10.5285/3458e0b9-5002-4ddb-bcb3-1c7fb08fb70b
Dataset
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Environmental monitoring data from upland and lowland blanket peatland in the Flow Country, Scotland, 2017-2019
Marshall, C. (Creator), Andersen, R. (Creator), Sterk, H. P. (Creator) & Gilbert, P. J. (Creator), Natural Environment Research Council, 29 Apr 2021
DOI: 10.5285/1be4eef2-0591-4073-bae2-e00b6ff4462f
Dataset
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Monthly precise levelling data of peat surface motion from upland and lowland blanket peatland in the Flow Country, Scotland, 2017-2019
Marshall, C. (Creator), Andersen, R. (Creator), Sterk, H. P. (Creator), Gilbert, P. J. (Creator) & Large, D. J. (Creator), Natural Environment Research Council, 2 Mar 2021
DOI: 10.5285/f4f79d46-dac7-4628-a0b3-7427761737a6
Dataset
Activities
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‘Culture Vultures’: Exploring the socio-cultural factors & approaches supporting vulture conservation in Nepal
Niemi, L. M. (Invited speaker)
10 Sept 2025Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Invited talk
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Integration of drug utilization & environmental data: Working together towards environmentally informed pharmaceutical prescribing in Scotland
Niemi, L. M. (Speaker)
3 Jul 2025Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Invited talk
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European Drug Utilization Conference 2025Bridging Data, Policy & Patients in Drug Utilization Research
Niemi, L. M. (Speaker)
1 Jul 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Impacts
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Motion raised in Scottish Parliament
Gibb, S. (Participant) & Taggart, M. (Participant)
Impact: Public policy Impacts
Student theses
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Exploring the eco-hydrological and predator movement effects of floating roads in the context of forest to bog restoration in the Flow Country
McHenry, R. H. (Author), Andersen, R. (Supervisor), 26 Jan 2026Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (awarded by UHI)
File -
Using multibeam sonar to monitor animal behaviour and environmental interactions at marine renewable energy sites
Petzinna, N. (Author), Williamson, B. (Supervisor) & Morrissey, B. (Supervisor), 9 Feb 2026Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (awarded by UHI)
File -
Developing a trait-based approach to understand Sphagna responses to hydrological stress in the Flow Country
Thompson, C. J. (Author), Andersen, R. (Supervisor) & Thomas, A. (Supervisor), 23 Feb 2026Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (awarded by UHI)
File