Laurence is a research leader of the Freshwater Ecology section at NIVA. He has expertise in biological responses to environmental change in lakes and reservoirs, particularly phytoplankton, macrophytes and harmful algal blooms of cyanobacteria. He has carried out his research analysing national, European or global-scale datasets from regulatory monitoring, satellite earth observation and citizen science. He combines broad-scale studies with experiments in mesocosms and time-series studies from long-term lake monitoring programmes. He was responsible for delivering water quality targets and phytoplankton assessment schemes for the European Water Framework Directive and led development of the Bloomin’ Algae citizen science app. Many of his recent projects examine the restoration of freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health and the management of freshwater habitats to ensure sustainable delivery of freshwater goods and services (water supply, fisheries, climate regulation, water purification and recreation). Laurence is a Fellow of the Freshwater Biological Association and a visiting professor at the University of Stirling, UK. He is on the steering committee for the GEO AquaWatch Initiative. He has a degree in Biological Sciences (Botany) (University of Edinburgh) and a PhD from the University of Liverpool in lake ecology. Before moving to NIVA, he worked as a lecturer in environmental change at University College London and a principal scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. In addition, he has been seconded as a national expert on freshwater ecosystem services to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre.