Staff Profile
Dr Abby Mycroft
Lecturer in Geography
I am an Environmental Scientist, specialising in ecology, and soil and water sciences, focusing on the processes which underpin ecosystem service delivery. I also work towards making Environmental Science and Geography more accessible, particularly for those with long-term health conditions.
I studied at The University of York for my PhD in peatland science and began teaching at York St John during the finishing stages of the project in 2022. Prior to my PhD, I worked as an Organics Analyst in a commercial laboratory, specialising in GC-MS analysis of soil and waters whilst supervising a small group of technicians. I hold a BSc in Environmental Science with a Certificate in European Studies from the University of Nottingham with a study abroad placement at L’École d'Ingénieurs de Purpan, and a MSc in Hydrogeology from the University of Birmingham.
- School – School of Humanities
- Email – a.mycroft@yorksj.ac.uk
- Research - View my work in RaY
Further information
Teaching
I am course lead for the undergraduate Geography programs (BA and BSc) and manage the Geoscience laboratory facilities.
I currently teach on modules spanning the discipline of physical geography and quantitative data analysis on the geography undergraduate and masters level programmes.
I currently lead the following modules:
Second year:
- Global Ecosystems and Biogeography
Third year:
- Habitat Monitoring and Management
Advanced Fieldwork - MSc Sustainable Environmental Management
Sustainable Ecosystem Management
I currently co-teach on the following modules:
- Quantitative Methods
- Earth Systems
- Geographer's Professional Practice
- Research Design and Practice (MSc)
- Environmental Assessment (MSc)
I supervise third year Geography and MSc dissertations spanning ecology, land management, ecosystem service provisioning, and quantitative data analysis.
Research
- Characterisation of peatland organic matter using 13C NMR in collaboration with Dr Coral Mycroft (University of Oxford) - Project lead
- Cricket grounds, climate resilience and biodiversity: A study of perceptions and realities of ecosystem service provisioning in Yorkshire, UK in collaboration with Dr Jude Parks and Dr Lucy Jones - Project lead
- Groundwater sapping process and form at the Hole of Horcum, North York Moors, in collaboration with Dr Pauline Couper and Dr Lucy jones
- EMBRACE Enviro: Engaging ethnically diverse communities to develop future talent in UK environmental science through water resource management - project team Dr Dr Olalekan Adekola (lead), Dr Abby Mycroft, Dr Arved Schwendel, Dr Chris Skinner, Professor Divine Charura, Professor Gang Pan, Dr Ikechi Agbugba, Dr Lucy Jones, Dr Pauline Couper, Professor Robert Mortimer, and Dr Tokunbo Olorundami (project co-leads). External funding awarded by NERC (2025).
Publications and conferences
Journal articles
Heinemyer, A., Ashby, M., Liu, B., Mycroft, A., Burn, W., Holmes, T., Jones, A., and Andrews, L (2023) ‘Prescribed heather burning on peatlands: A review of ten key claims made about heather management impacts and implications for future UK policy’ To be published in Mires and Peat [forthcoming]
PhD thesis
Mycroft, A. L. (2024) Towards unravelling the peatland carbon cycle 'black box': linking peatland management, habitat status, and climate to water chemistry and quality, and greenhouse gas fluxes. PhD thesis, University of York.
Conferences and presentations
Mycroft, A. (2025) ‘From Bog to Brew: The story of our drinking water’ [presentation] Pint of Science York: Our planet and climate resilience, 19th May, York UK
Mycroft, A., Penkman, K and Heinemeyer A. (2022) ‘UK peatland water quality considering vegetation, management and climate’ [poster], British Ecological Society Annual meeting, 18th-21st December, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Mycroft, A. (2022) ‘Blanket Bog dissolved organic carbon properties in the context of drinking water treatment’ [lecture] York St John University Geography reading week seminar, 14th November, York St John University, York
Mycroft, A., Penkman, K and Heinemeyer, A. (2021) ‘Towards unravelling the ‘black box’ of peatland carbon: linking peatland habitat condition and management to water chemistry and quality’ [presentation] European Geosciences Union General Assembly EGU21: Gather Online, 19th-30th April
Mycroft, A., Penkman, K and Heinemeyer, A. (2020) ‘The peatland carbon black box: linking peatland habitat condition and management to water quality’ [presentation], British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, 14th-17th December
Mycroft, A., Penkman, K and Heinemeyer, A. (2020) ‘The carbon black box-linking peatland soil chemistry to water quality’ [poster], Flow Country Research Conference 6: Understanding dynamics, 17th March, Thurso, Scotland, UK
Professional activities
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (awarded April 2025).
I am a board Trustee for PLACE (charity number 1106814).
At York St John, I am a member of the 'Dynamic Landscapes' and 'Ecological Research' groups.
I am a member of the British Ecological Society and the Peatlands, and Plants, Soils, and Ecosystems special interest groups.
Awards
- 2025 - Course Team of the Year (Geography) YSJ SU awards (award winner)
- 2025 - Inspirational staff member YSJ SU awards (award winner)
