Schmidt was awarded a Royal Society Wolfson Research Fellowship in 2015.[7] Her research investigates the causes and impacts of increased carbon dioxide on marine ecosystems. Anthropological carbon dioxide emissions impact the ocean in many ways, resulting in processes such as ocean acidification and warming. Damage to the ocean directly and indirectly impacts the environment, and ecosystem shifts can present considerable challenges to surrounding communities. Schmidt has investigated various ocean ecosystems, with a focus on bivalves, bryozoans and foraminifers.[7]
In general, her research combines understanding climate events with modern activity to understand and assess risk. She was a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.[6][8][9]