Dr Laura Harrison

Research

Research Interests

I carry out research on how ecosystems function, how we interact with nature and the benefits we receive. Much of my work involves communicating with and learning from non-academic stakeholders to improve how evidence is used in policy development and practice.

Health and environment co benefits

I am interested in the relationship between nature and health; particularly the links between the quality of green and blue spaces, mental health and ‘pro-environmental’ behaviour. I am a YESI Knowledge Exchange fellow working with partners in North Yorkshire and Humber on embedding environmental quality into Nature-Based Interventions for health. I enjoy collaborating with HEY Smile Foundation and colleagues in Health Sciences to support conservation and community organisations and health professionals. 

In West Yorkshire I am currently working with Piran White, Pete Coventry and Neil Lunt on linking Natural Flood Management with Green Social Prescribing. This is funded by the West Yorkshire Flood Innovation Programme and builds on previous work on making evidence about nature-based interventions more accessible.

I am also a co-director of a social enterprise, Leeds Mindfulness Co-operative CIC.  We provide accredited mindfulness, compassion and nature-based training for people living with chronic pain and ill health in Leeds and Bradford. We have a particular focus on tackling health inequalities. 

Using a Systems Approach

During recent work with Cat Cowie and Piran White we developed a process to support Natural England staff as they work to deliver multiple benefits for nature and human health in a priority place.

I have worked on three interdisciplinary food systems projects investigating fragility, systemic risk and the role of innovation with Bob Doherty and Richard Friend. These involved working with Defra, running workshops and holding interviews with industry experts.

Indicator development, Ecological Risk Assessment and land use

I develop indicators and metrics for use in Ecological Risk Assessments and Natural Capital Assessments. I am currently working on developing indicators and metrics suitable for nature positive investments in solar parks with NextEnergy Capital.  I have also worked with Unilever on improving indicators of chemical stress in freshwater. 

My PhD investigated an invasive plant in Alaska, and I have been involved in several horizon scanning projects for new invasive species. I have also written briefing notes on ecological networks for landscape professionals and on biodiversity and planning for Members of Parliament. 

Career

Research Associate, Department of Environment and Geography and the School for Business and Society, University of York.

Knowledge Exchange and Engagement Officer, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Sustainability Directorate, University of York.

PhD, Ecology, University of Leeds.

NERC Postgraduate Fellow, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

MRes, Ecology and Environmental Management, University of York.

BA Biological Sciences, Oxford University.

Publications

Recent publications

Treasure, L., Harrison, L.J., Hudson, P., You, J.J., Hawkins, D., Grier, R., Lee, H.K., Armstrong, A., & White, P.C.L. 2024. Nature Positive solar investment: industry guidance. NextEnergy Capital and the University of York. doi:10.15124/yao-2h6k-5c26

Carvalho, F., Lee, H.K., Blaydes, H., Treasure, L., Harrison, L.J., Montag, H., Vucic, K., Scurlock, J., White, P.C.L., Sharp, S.P., Clarkson, T., & Armstrong, A. 2024. Integrated policymaking is needed to deliver climate and ecological benefits from solar farms. Journal of Applied Ecology. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.14745

Harrison, L.J., Hurd, A., Spaul, A., Featherstone, J., & & White P.C.L., M. 2024. Healthy Humber: growing connection between health and nature recovery. Workshop report. University of York and HEY Smile Foundation.

Harrison L.J., Coventry, P.A., Armitt, H., Chew-Graham, C.A., Churchill, R., Darcy, P.M., Dallimer, M., Knowles, S., and White, P.C.L. 2023. Nature-based interventions for health and wellbeing: what works?  An interactive summary of evidence from recent systematic reviews.

Friend, R.M., Thiengburanathum, P., Harrison, L.J., Thiengburanathum, P., Doherty, B., Thankappan, S. 2023. Participatory diagnosis of food systems fragility; perspectives from Thailand. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 7. doi:3389/fsufs.2023.989520

Harrison, L.J., Pearson, K.A., Wheatley, C.J., Hill, J.K., Maltby, L., Rivetti, C., Speirs, L., White, P.C.L. 2022. Functional measures as potential indicators of down-the-drain chemical stress in freshwater ecological risk assessment. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 18(5):1135–1147. doi:10.1002/ieam.4568

Jones, L., Boeri, M., Christie, M., Durance, I., Evans, K.L., Fletcher, D., Harrison, L., Jorgensen, A., Masante, D., McGinlay, J., et al. 2022. Can we model cultural ecosystem services, and are we measuring the right things? People and Nature. 4(1):166–179. Doi: 10.1002/pan3.10271

Oliver, T.H., Doherty, B., Dornelles, A., Gilbert, N., Greenwell, M.P., Harrison, L.J., Jones, I.M., Lewis, A.C., Moller, S.J., Pilley, V.J., Tovey, P., Weinstein, N. 2022. A safe and just operating space for human identity: a systems perspective. The Lancet Planetary Health. 6(11):e919–e927. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00217-0