Matthew Tom Harrison

Professor Matthew Harrison is an award-winning scientist at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture in Launceston, Australia. Matt is internationally renowned for his work in improving the sustainability of agricultural and land-use systems through the development of innovative solutions to demand-driven problems. His team uses systems thinking to develop skills, technologies and practices aimed at improving food production, enterprise profit, social license to operate and agri-food sustainability. The impact of his work on carbon removals, greenhouse gas emissions, the climate crisis and food security will have enduring benefits for decades to come.

In 2022, Matt’s team was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Medal for distinguished contributions to research of the highest quality, including leadership, innovation and impact, mentoring and early career research development, and community engagement. In 2023, Matt's team was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Sustainability Award for outstanding internal leadership in climate action, greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and environmental stewardship. The Sustainability Award is presented to staff for leadership enabling the University to act as a lighthouse for the world in what is possible and urgently needed. The Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Medal and Sustainability Award are each the top awards of 3,000 full-time equivalent staff at the University.

In 2023, Matt received the Premier's Tasmanian STEM Researcher of 2023, the highest scientific honor of the State of Tasmania.

Matt is the Director of the Carbon Storage Partnership, a transdisciplinary initiative that is developing inclusive, environmentally-contextualised pathways aimed at progressing the entire Australia livestock sector to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (‘CN30 Initiative’) in a profitable, productive way.