Emma Johnston

Emma Letitia Johnston (11 June 1973 – 26 December 2025) was an Australian marine ecologist and academic. In February 2025, she became the vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

Johnston was also the deputy vice-chancellor for research at the University of Sydney, as well as the former dean of science and pro-vice-chancellor for research at the University of New South Wales. She had also been the president of Science & Technology Australia.

Early life and education Emma Letitia Johnston She spent much time swimming, snorkelling, and sailing as a child. Her father was an applied mathematician with a PhD in chemical engineering from Manchester University. Her mother was a painter with a master's degree in chemistry from Leeds University.

Johnston graduated from University High School in Melbourne.

Career Johnston joined the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) as an associate lecturer in 2001. She was appointed pro-vice-chancellor for research at UNSW.

Johnston was Dean of Science at UNSW until July 2022, when she was appointed deputy vice-chancellor for research at the University of Sydney.

In February 2025, she became the vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

Research Johnston's research group at UNSW investigated the ecology of human impacts in marine systems, combining the diverse disciplines of ecology, microbiology and ecotoxicology to expand fundamental understanding and provide recommendations for management. Her research was conducted in such diverse field environments as Sydney Harbour, Antarctica, the Great Barrier Reef and temperate Australian estuaries.

Among Johnston's significant research findings is the discovery that toxic contaminants facilitate the invasion of coastal waterways by non-indigenous species. Some of her research topics include: determining the major drivers of marine bio-invasions, the vulnerability of Antarctic marine communities, and developing new biomonitoring techniques and informing the development of effective management of biodiversity in Australian estuarine systems.

Other activities Johnston was a high-profile science communicator, winning the 2015 Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research. She was a regular media commentator, appearing on ABC TV's Catalyst, which helped take Australian marine science to an international audience. She also launched a Sydney Harbour cruise called Underwater Secrets – Sydney Harbour Revealed, which focuses on scientific research into the waterway.

As a former president of Science & Technology Australia, Johnston was a public advocate for science and for increasing the participation of women in research. In 2016 she co-authored the chapter about coastal ecosystems in Australia's "State of the Environment" report, and in 2021 served among the chief authors.

Recognition and awards Johnston was a 2007 winner of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science's Tall Poppy Award for her research into the effects of introduced species and contaminants on existing Australian marine species.

In 2012, Johnston was named NSW Scientist of the Year for Excellence in Biological Sciences (Plant, Agriculture and Environment) in the NSW Science and Engineering Awards. This medal was presented to Johnston at Science at Science at the Shine Dome on 28 May 2014.

In 2015, Johnston won the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry AU Mid-Career Medal for excellence in scientific work in Australasia that has involved substantial environmental toxicology and chemistry. She was a fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales (FRSN).

Johnston was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to higher education, particularly to marine ecology and ecotoxicology, as an academic, researcher and administrator, and to scientific institutes". In September 2018, she was named one of The Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence in the Innovation category.

In December 2018, she was awarded the Clarke Medal by the Royal Society of New South Wales.

Johnston was elected a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) in 2019, and a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2022.

In recognition of her achievements, her former high school named one of its houses after her.

Publications During her career, Johnston published 185 peer-reviewed works.

At the time of her death in 2025, her h-index was 65.

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