Karl Richards

Research Interests

Karls research interests are investigating nitrogen dynamics in soil, nitrate leaching and denitrification in croplands and grazed grasslands soils. His research is focused on the investigation of options to mitigate N₂O from soils (such dietary manipulation, cover crops and the use of nitrification inhibitors); understanding landscape scale nitrogen dynamics; investigating N₂/N₂O partitioning in soils and aquifers and ammonia emissions. He is a member of the EU Nitrogen Expert Panel and an Irish representative on the Global Research Alliance.

He has successfully supervised 29 post-graduate Phd and MSc. Students in collaboration with a wide range of national and international university collaborators. He has published over 180 peer reviewed journal papers and previously was an editor for Soil Use and Management and Nature Scientific Reports. He has led a wide range of national and international research projects and was a partner in many EU funded projects.

Teagasc Climate Centre

The Teagasc Climate Centre was established in December 2022. The Centre Co-ordinates agricultural climate and biodiversity research & innovation across Teagasc. It aims to accelerate technological development & implementation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance biodiversity. The Centre supports & facilitates the Irish agriculture sector in meeting its commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions & restoring biodiversity. Karl leads the Teagasc team of over 100 researchers and supporting technical staff working on climate and biodiversity related research.

Education

• 2024 to present Leadership Development Programme, Dublin City University
• 2014   Management Development Programme Fetac level 6
• 1999   Post graduate Diploma in Statistics, Trinity College Dublin
• 1999   PhD. Environmental Geology, Trinity College Dublin
• 1993   BA (mod.) Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin

  Career

• 2023   Head of Teagasc Climate Centre
• 2012   Head of Environment, Soils and Land-use Dept., Teagasc, Johnstown Castle
• 2012   Principal Research Officer- Biogeochemistry, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle
• 2002   Research Officer – hydrochemistry, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle
• 2000   Scientific Officer, Environmental Protection Agency
• 1999   Consultant Hydrogeologist (Hydrochemist), URS Dames and Moore
• 1996   Contract Research Officer (biogeochemistry), Teagasc Johnstown Castle

• Publications
• Presentations