Geo-environmental Engineering research focussed on two themes where the sustainable use of the shallow subsurface is central:

• Reducing the environmental impact of human activities in the subsurface,
• The development of bio-geotechnical approaches to change the in-situ properties of the subsurface.

Understanding the complex interplay of coupled bio-geochemical and hydro-mechanical processes, in both natural and human-influenced subsurface environments, is an important driver for this research theme. Several research lines have been successfully initiated and continued; the appointment of Prof. Heimovaara as chair increased the focus towards utilizing biological processes as engineering tools.