L (Lisa) Matthews, MSc

I am PhD candidate working on the science-policy interface of a contested climate intervention: carbon dioxide removal into soils. I look at the role of carbon accounting: how do we count carbon, which forms of carbon are easier to count, and whether this influences how and where we 'do' climate mitiation. It's a challenge to estimate soil carbon over diverse ecosystems and land uses, but even more challenging to accurately predict what will happen if we intervene (See more here).

I draw from natural sciences (LCA, soil science, agronomy, grassland science) and social sciences (STS & infrastructural perspectives), to try understand how carbon accounting interacts with what is seen as carbon dioxide removal, where it can be done, and how it is 'made real' though quantification. In particular, I focus on how dynamic, heterogenous, ecological systems are made governable through universal and static classifications of land, soil, land use practices, and carbon. 

I am situated in both the Environmental Policy, and Soil Chemistry groups at Wageningen University.

I completed my Masters in Agronomy from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Here I looked at diversifying crop production systems, through rotations and livestock integration, and how changes climate impact. I compared the greenhouse gas emissions of three rotation systems, as well as fertiliser reliance, yield, and wheat protein content. Previously, I worked as a carbon consultant in South Africa, doing carbon footprinting for agricultural organisations. I am also a member of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.

Publications (more on the way!):

• Matthews, L.  et al. “Legumes and Livestock in No-till Crop Rotations: Effects on Nitrous Oxide Emissions, Carbon Sequestration, Yield, and Wheat Protein Content.” Agricultural Systems 224 (March 2025): 104218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104218.