Anna Kärrman - new professor 2026
Anna Kärrman is professor of chemistry. Photo: Jerry Gray
Anna Kärrman is professor of chemistry with a specialisation in environmental chemistry. Her research involves tracing, identifying and understanding chemicals that can be harmful to both human health and the environment.
“My driving force is to contribute to a more sustainable and safer society by advancing knowledge about how chemicals are used and spread, and how they affect us and our surroundings,” she says.
1975 Born in Kristinehamn, Sweden
2006 Obtained her PhD in chemistry with her thesis Analysis and human levels of persistent perfluorinated chemicals, Örebro University
2007 Postdoc, Kyoto University, Japan
2011 Docent in environmental chemistry, Örebro University
2025 Professor of chemistry with a specialisation in environmental chemistry, Örebro University
“The best part of doing research is the combination of intellectual challenges and concrete environmental work, whether it takes place on a ship in the Pacific Ocean, on the ice in the Arctic, or in a farmland field closer to home. Trying to understand the complex systems and mechanisms that make a chemical useful and beneficial in one context yet end up in our drinking water or food and become harmful, is both challenging, intriguing, and important to society,” Anna Kärrman explains.
Chemicals are a natural and necessary part of modern society. They underpin innovation, welfare, health, and safety. At the same time, many of the substances that provide these benefits are associated with significant risks.
“They can contribute to long‑term environmental problems, affect ecosystems and biodiversity, and pose health risks to humans.”
As society continues to exceed safe planetary boundaries for new chemical substances, the need for knowledge, early warning systems, and preventive measures becomes increasingly urgent.
“My research focuses on identifying organic pollutants in the environment through advanced analytical chemistry, often using non‑targeted and non‑specific analytical methods,” says Anna Kärrman.
These methods make it possible to detect both known and previously unknown chemicals, including transformation products formed when substances break down in the environment.
“I study where these substances come from, how they are transported and transformed in the environment, and how humans and ecosystems are exposed to them.”
A central element of her work is collaboration at the intersection of chemistry and toxicology.
“Together, we develop strategies for more effective identification, prioritisation, and risk assessment of chemicals that may pose a threat to health or the environment. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial for turning chemical measurement data into relevant and useful decision‑making support.”
Anna Kärrman’s research projects include studies of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other organic trace contaminants, as well as microplastics. She works on issues relating to the spread of chemicals through the application of sewage sludge on agricultural land, the presence of microplastics in lakes and coastal marine environments, and trace contaminants in waste streams and material recycling.
Several projects are linked to European initiatives, such as the development of a European Early Warning System for chemical threats, and frameworks for the protection of European soils and coastal marine environments. In these contexts, complex chemical mixtures pose particular challenges.
In addition to her research, she is active at the science‑policy interface. Since 2017, she has been an appointed expert in the Toxicological Council, an expert group organised by the Swedish Chemicals Agency that functions as a national warning system for chemical risks and reports directly to relevant agency directors.
“I strive to strengthen the scientific basis for evidence‑based decision‑making and thereby contribute to safer and more sustainable chemical management.”
Her work and research lead to real changes, such as national and European restrictions and bans, even though the processes are often slow.
“That is when the work feels meaningful. Another great privilege is working with students and following their development and growing dedication.”
“In the future, I want to continue contributing to the protection of human and environmental health by deepening the understanding of the origins of chemical issues and their connections to society and the economy.”
Anna Kärrman will continue to advance methods for examining how different material flows contribute to the spread of pollutants and to study central questions concerning what tools are needed for safe and sustainable material circulation in a circular economy.