Dr Elaine Mitchell

Soil Scientist PhD

Elaine Mitchell is a soil scientist at Queensland University of Technology whose research examines carbon cycling in managed agroecosystems and how it can be harnessed to deliver both climate and productivity benefits. Her work sits at the interface of soil biogeochemistry and policy, with a strong focus on developing robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for soil carbon. Elaine is co-leading the design and implementation of Australia’s most advanced long-term agroecosystem monitoring networks, integrating satellite observations, eddy covariance flux towers, and field measurements of soil, biomass, and tree carbon to generate defensible carbon budgets across commercial farms.

Before joining academia, she worked as a carbon project developer, supporting efforts to restore degraded community forests in countries including Nepal, Uganda, and Nicaragua. This combination of on-the-ground project experience and scientific expertise underpins her goal of aligning rigorous research with practical climate solutions for agriculture.