Why peatland restoration is important for public health

Dr Furong Tian works directly with farmers to show that academic research can connect with communities and positively impact environmental recovery and public health.

“Today, more than ever, we need open, honest and inclusive science,” says Dr Furong Tian.

“Not just in labs and journals, but in schools, communities and public conversations. Because the more people understand science, the more they can shape it – and benefit from it.”

Tian is a lecturer in the School of Food Science and Environmental Health and director of the Nanolab Research Centre at Technological University Dublin (TUD).

With a bachelor’s degree in medicine, a master’s degree in biochemistry and a PhD in chemistry, her research interests lie at the intersection of medicine, nanotechnology and environmental health.

She has worked at the Fourth Medical University in China, Kyoto University in Japan, and at the Max Planck Institute and the Helmholtz Centre in Munich, Germany.

Last year, her research leadership was recognised by TUD with a Fiosraigh Award for Research Excellence.

Here she tells us about her current research, which focuses on peatland restoration and citizen science.

Tell us about your current research.

Since joining TUD, my research has focused on bridging academic work with real-world environmental and public health solutions. A key component of my work is mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students in developing sustainable, community-based innovations.

In 2020, I served as principal investigator in drafting the Farm:Carbon project – a major peatland restoration initiative funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU, with a total budget of €1.149m. This led to a formal partnership in 2021 between TUD and Green Restoration Ireland Cooperative Society, supporting peatland rehabilitation and water quality improvement.

As a result, I secured two postgraduate fellowships, and subsequently two PhD fellowships were awarded to my students Gouri Atapattu and Obeng A Samuel.

Our research focuses on farm-based interventions across more than 30 sites in Offaly and Laois – modelled as ‘lighthouse’ farms for sustainable practices.

These sites have become living laboratories where students and farmers co-develop environmental solutions.

Farmers participate in surveys on vegetation and biodiversity and receive guidance on the ecological and agricultural benefits of restoration. The programme provides up to €5,000 per farm to implement restoration measures.

In addition to environmental monitoring, my team also conducts human health risk assessments, focusing on trace element release resulting from peatland use changes.

We investigate potential exposure pathways and ecological transfer of toxic metals through soil, water and biota, especially in disturbed or drained peatlands where harmful elements such as arsenic, lead and cadmium may become mobilised. This aspect of our research supports science-based policies and risk reduction strategies to protect both ecosystems and human health.

Our research methodologies include microbiological profiling of peat, water testing, and soil and peat analysis.

Student engagement and recognition remain central to this work.

One of my students was awarded a travel grant to present at Tropentag 2022, an international conference themed ‘Can agroecological farming feed the world? Farmers’ and academia’s views’, further highlighting the global relevance and academic quality of our research.

Additionally, students have won Best Scientific Poster awards at the SURE Conference (2022–2024) and have co-authored publications in Frontiers in Environmental Science, Environmental Science: Advances, and Sustainability, covering peatland restoration, wastewater management and hospital effluent treatment.

These initiatives reflect my commitment to cross-disciplinary research, sustainable agriculture and citizen science, while demonstrating how academic leadership can drive both ecological resilience and public health outcomes through collaborative, real-world action.

In your opinion, why is your research important?

My research is important because it addresses some of the most urgent challenges we face today: climate change, environmental degradation, sustainable agriculture and human health.

By focusing on peatland restoration and land use change, we are not only working to reverse environmental damage but also to improve water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent the mobilisation of harmful contaminants that pose risks to both ecosystems and public health.

Peatlands are critical carbon sinks, and their degradation contributes significantly to carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. Restoring these landscapes has a direct impact on climate mitigation.

At the same time, we are assessing how these land use changes affect the release of trace metals and nutrients – critical for understanding and managing human health risks, especially for nearby communities and food systems.

The broader impact of this work lies in its cross-sector, community-driven approach. By working directly with farmers, students and public agencies, we are translating laboratory research into practical, on-the-ground solutions.

In the long term, I foresee this research contributing to: policy development in climate, agriculture and public health; scalable models of community-led environmental restoration; improved training for students as future scientists and change-makers; increased public awareness and engagement in environmental stewardship; and the development of ‘lighthouse farms’ as demonstration sites for eco-friendly practices, which could serve as replicable models for sustainable land management and restoration, both locally and internationally.

Ultimately, my goal is to show that academic research, when connected to real communities and landscapes, can be a powerful driver of both environmental recovery and public wellbeing.

What inspired you to become a researcher?

My journey into research has been deeply shaped by the inspiring leadership of Dr Julie Dunne, head of the School of Food Science and Environmental Health. Her passionate commitment to sustainability education and community engagement sparked a new dimension in how I viewed the role of research – not just as academic inquiry, but as a powerful tool for societal impact.

Dr Dunne consistently encouraged us to integrate sustainability across teaching, research and public outreach. She led initiatives that brought science beyond the classroom, such as visiting secondary schools for science festivals and facilitating lab experiences for younger students. These hands-on activities helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, igniting curiosity and interest in scientific exploration at an early stage.

What inspired me most was her vision of building sustained, meaningful connections between academia and the wider community. That ethos – of making research accessible, collaborative and impactful – has stayed with me and continues to shape the way I design my own projects. Her approach encouraged me to pursue research that not only answers scientific questions but also fosters inclusivity, civic engagement and real-world problem-solving.

What are some of the biggest challenges or misconceptions you face as a researcher in your field?

One major challenge is the misconception that peatland restoration is purely ecological and slow-moving, when in fact it has urgent and direct impacts on water quality, climate and human health.

There’s also a tendency to overlook the health risks linked to land use changes, such as trace element release.

Balancing rigorous research with meaningful community engagement is another challenge, especially as it often isn’t fully recognised in traditional academic frameworks.

Finally, securing funding for interdisciplinary, field-based research can be difficult, as it doesn’t always fit neatly into conventional categories – despite its real-world importance.

Do you think public engagement with science and data has changed in recent years?

Yes, public engagement with science and data has changed dramatically in recent years – especially since the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, science entered our daily lives in a way we hadn’t seen before. People followed case numbers, debated vaccines, and even started reading scientific articles and data charts. This brought a surge in public interest – but also new challenges.

On one hand, more people now appreciate the value of science and understand its role in shaping policy and public health. On the other hand, we saw how quickly misinformation can spread, and how difficult it can be to communicate uncertainty in a fast-changing situation.

The pandemic also showed the power of community-based science. From symptom trackers to local research projects, people got involved in science – not just as audiences, but as contributors. That spirit of citizen science and public partnership is something we can – and should – build on.

How do you encourage engagement with your own work?

I encourage engagement with my work by making it hands-on, inclusive and grounded in real-world impact. A key part of this is involving both undergraduate and postgraduate students in fieldwork, lab analysis and community-based projects – particularly on farms where they can directly observe the environmental and health implications of land use and restoration.

I also work closely with farmers, secondary schools and local communities. We hold workshops, site visits and interactive sessions where people can ask questions, share local knowledge and see how research applies to their daily lives. These efforts help build trust and ensure the science is accessible and useful.

In addition to community engagement, I actively share our findings through peer-reviewed publications, scientific posters and conference presentations, making sure the research reaches both academic and practitioner audiences.

Workshops and science festivals – especially those involving secondary school students – also allow me to foster early interest in environmental health and sustainability.

For me, engagement means more than just sharing results – it’s about building relationships, creating dialogue and ensuring that research is something people feel part of and can act on.

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