Dr Karen Surridge was awarded her PhD in 2007 by the University of Pretoria and during 2007-2009 she was a postdoctoral Fellow of the Claude Leon Foundation. Her academic career was paralleled by establishing a consulting company specialising in environmental analyses, environmental impact assessments (EIA’s), laboratory setup and establishment and consulting to, among others, large energy, environmental consulting and metal industries in South Africa. It offered environmental compliance services in mega industries like steel, energy and mining with scarce expertise in soil amelioration for crude oil contaminated soils, for example and other highly specialised skills related to microbial aspects of environmental impact and restoration.
Because her skills varied between both the engineering and microbiology side of extractives as well as energy, Dr Surridge has been able to smoothly transition from the lab to the grid – leading and collaborating with different teams of pioneering researchers and engineers who test and pilot energy solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; and South Africa’s energy security, efficiency and technological innovation needs. This includes projects to demonstrate sustainable technologies that are fit for purpose in South Africa. In collaboration with researchers and various international agencies, she has led to the successful piloting of sustainable energy and efficiency solutions to lower the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and support a Just Energy Transition.