British Society of Soil Science upcoming events

Understanding Contemporary Plant–Soil Feedback in Intercropping (19 May 2026)

Mon, 18 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This summer school is being organized as part of the ongoing Horizon project, LEGUMINOSE which focuses on soil health and intercropping.

About the Summer School

The summer school aims to bring together young researchers, graduate students, and professionals interested in sustainable cropping systems and soil ecology. The program will focus on the mechanisms of plant–soil feedback and its role in improving productivity, nutrient cycling, and soil health in legume–cereal intercropping systems. Participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in assessing soil biological properties, exploring microbial communities, and interpreting the ecological processes driving soil fertility and plant performance.

Who Should Attend

Master’s and PhD students, early-career researchers in agronomy, soil/ecosystem science, or related fields; practitioners and advisors interested in intercropping and soil health. No prior intercropping experience needed.

Program Details Theoretical sessions will be complemented by hands-on, practical sessions and roundtable discussions. The following topics will be covered:

Principles of plant–soil feedback (PSF) in legume– cereal systems
Nutrient dynamics & biological N fixation
Linking microbial communities to crop performance
Hands-on: soil sampling, soil fertility assessment, molecular techniques for soil microbial analysis
Field visit with farmer discussion and on-site demos
Roundtable discussions on turning research into practice

Organisers and Lecturers

Shamina Imran Pathan (University of Florence, Italy)
Norman Gentsch (Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany)
Bruno Steinkraus (SOILYTIX, Germany)
Luiz A. Domeignoz-Horta (INRAE, France)
Paolo Nannipieri (University of Florence, Italy)
Silja Emilia Hannula (Leiden University, Netherlands)

Participant Requirements

Participants are expected to attend all sessions and actively contribute to discussions and group exercises. Basic laboratory and field safety training will be provided; adherence is mandatory. Proficiency in English language

Registration Details

Participation is limited to a maximum of 30 people.
Registration deadline: 31st March 2026.
A short abstract (max. 250 words) describing the participant’s research interest or background in soil–plant systems should be submitted with the application.
Fees: €300 per person to cover course materials, refreshments, lunches, and one social dinner. The fee does NOT cover travel and accommodation costs.

Contact information

For more information, please contact Dr Shamina Imran Pathan (shamina.pathan@unifi.it)

Summer school on soil health and intercropping

Zoom into Soil: Soils and Pollinators (21 May 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

The British Society of Soil Science is pleased to announce our next webinar will take place on Thursday 21 May from 12:00 - 1:00pm (UK time) and is free of charge to register. Join Professor Jeff Ollerton, Professor Sara Leonhardt and Dr Siul Ruiz as they discuss 'Soils and pollinators - a complex dependency' to mark World Bee Day.

Professor Jeff Ollerton is an ecologist, author and consultant with more than 35 years’ experience studying the natural world, particularly plant–pollinator interactions and their importance for biodiversity, food production and society. He has published more than 190 scientific articles and book chapters, and his research has informed national and international initiatives to conserve pollinators and pollination services.

Prof. Dr. Sara Diana Leonhardt is a Professor of Plant–Insect Interactions at the Technical University of Munich. Her research focuses on the chemical and ecological mechanisms that shape interactions between plants and insects, with a particular emphasis on bee health and biodiversity. She has held the professorship for Plant–Insect Interactions at TUM since 2019 and was appointed Vice Dean of Research at the TUM School of Life Sciences in 2025. Prior to joining TUM, she led a research group at the University of Würzburg and also served as an adjunct lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Prof. Leonhardt studied biology at the University of Würzburg and Duke University in the United States and completed her doctoral degree in 2010 with research focusing on resins and tropical bees.

Dr. Siul Ruiz is a Lecturer in Bioengineering Science at the University of Southampton, where his research focuses on the physical and mechanical processes that govern biological activity in soils and plant–soil systems. He is affiliated with the Bioengineering Science Research Group at Southampton and holds a Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

The webinar includes one hour BASIS and NRoSO CPD points.

We look forward to welcoming you on the webinar.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/725193244759524696

The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS2026) (07 June 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Organized by International Union of Soil Sciences and Soil Science Society of China, the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS2026) will be held in June 7-12, 2026 in Nanjing International Expo Center. World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) is poised to be a landmark gathering for the global soil science community. Since its inception in 1927, WCSS has been convened every four years, serving as a pivotal scientific forum in the realm of soil sciences.

WCSS2026 theme, 'Soil and the Shared Future for Humanity' focuses on the importance of soil for our future, with a variety of arrangements including plenary session, parallel sessions, poster exhibition and soil judging contest. Tours will also be organized for participants to visit typical soils in combination with unique landscapes and cultural diversification as China is a vast country with rich soil resources.

Building on its longstanding legacy, the Congress has received 3338 abstracts from 96 countries for 138 sessions, aiming to attract more than 3500 participants globally. The sessions encompass the full spectrum of soil science, including fundamental soil processes, innovative monitoring technologies, policy frameworks, and community-engaged practices. By fostering international collaboration across academic, governmental, and industrial sectors, WCSS2026 aims to accelerate the translation of soil science into tangible sustainability outcomes, supporting global goals for food security, environmental protection, and climate resilience.

The Organizing Committee of the congress cordially invites global soil science communities, institutions in related fields and friends who care about soil health to actively engage in the congress and enjoy the early-bird registration before March 7^th, 2026.

Visit the official congress website for more information and registration:

https://www.23wcss.org.cn/IR/index.html

Metals and Oxygen for Planetary and Human Homeostasis (15 June 2026)

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Metals and Oxygen for Planetary and Human Homeostasis - Royal Society Hooke meeting

There is an upcoming Royal Society Hooke meeting organised by Karen Johnson, Stephen Chivasa and Djoko Karrera from University of Durham. It is called "Metals and Oxygen for Planetary and Human Homeostasis" and runs from Monday 15^th to Tuesday 16^th June at the Royal Society in London.

You may have seen the BBC news in 2024 on the newly discovered "Dark oxygen" (literally oxygen produced in the dark without photosynthesis), this has made us question whether we really understand how oxygen is produced. Which has significant implications for human health and environmental health.

You can register at the url below and it is free to attend in person or online. We would really value your input to the discussion if you were free/interested.

There is also a poster session which might be of interest and we welcome transdisciplinary perspectives on the role of metals and/or oxygen in either human or planetary health.

https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2026/06/mophh/

Finding Common Ground: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on Soil (09 July 2026)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This two-day symposium at the University of Sheffield is part of a series of events exploring current soil-focussed research from a range of disciplinary perspectives.

In the face of developing climate catastrophe, soil will become more vital than ever. The UK’s Soil Association states, ‘without healthy soils, we can’t tackle the climate crisis’. This two-day symposium aims to bring together researchers from across disciplines including soil science, literary, and archaeological backgrounds, among many others, to share their work on the fascinating and urgent subject of soils. Attendees will be able to discuss their research, develop new connections, and identify opportunities for future interdisciplinary collaboration. For more information about the conference programme, or to register, please click here.

Our programme features 17 paper presentations including:

Jim Scown, University of Exeter: 'The Social gets into the Soil: The Politics and Poetics of Soil Health'.
Anna Krzywoszynska, University of Oulu: 'Speaking for soil, speaking with soil: crafting a common language for soil research and action.'
Jonathan Leake, University of Sheffield: 'From stardust to sustainability: regenerating arable soil health for people and the planet.'

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the organisers: Meg Meredith (mbp05mel@sheffield.ac.uk) and Emily Naish (ejnaish1@sheffield.ac.uk).

For more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finding-common-ground-an-interdisciplinary-symposium-on-soil-tickets-1981326188967

BES Soil Ecology in Practice Conference (08 September 2026)

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Soil Ecology in Practice is the first conference from the newly formed Soil Ecology Special Interest Group at the British Ecological Society. The aim of the conference is to connect policy and practice with cutting-edge soil ecology research, placing the practitioner at the heart of the focus. The overarching question that the conference will address is: How can we use our knowledge and networks to deliver on the major needs of soil ecology policy and practice in the next 3-5 years?

Program highlights

Keynote speakers: Kate Hanley, Roy Neilson and Nikki Baggaley will be sharing insights on the three session themes:

Degraded soils and restoration;
Soil agroecology for food and soil security;
Conservation and soil functional ecology at scale.

· Interactive workshops: delegates will have the choice to join one of two interactive workshops created in partnership with Journal of Applied Ecology. One track will focus on Policy-Driven Impact when working with senior academics to tackle urgent, real-world questions and another on sharpening your scientific toolkit with sessions designed to advance your career in Professional Skill-Building.

. Optional field trip Field trip to Dumyat hill, in the Ochil hill range, where we will enjoy a hike together to the two summits. We will be joined by local experts who will show us the local fungi and have a chance to discuss the local tree planting schemes. At the summit there will be a chance to picnic and enjoy the views across the Firth of Forth, before heading back to Stirling.

Important: Abstract submission closes on June 30.

The main goal of the conference is to connect those working in policy, or directly with practitioners, with soil ecology researchers. The conference is for everyone who has an interest in impactful soil ecology research, whether that is fundamental or applied research. We especially encourage early career researchers and those from less represented backgrounds to attend.

Soil Ecology in Practice - British Ecological Society

An Introduction to Soil Classification (16 September 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT

An Introduction to Soil Classification

[Hybrid Course]

This course is held over two days, with the first day online and the second in the field. It is aimed at researchers and others who want to gain a perspective of how their local field experimental sites and their results fit into the current picture of soil variation at UK and, in particular global scales. It includes introductory, technical and practical on-line sessions, followed on day two by a field visit to two contrasting soil profiles where you will apply the classification methods learnt on day one.

It is suggested that all delegates who wish to attend the course should be well versed in soil profile description , e.g. using the Soil Survey Field Handbook or have attended the BSSS ‘Practical introduction to soils in Great Britain’ training course.

Delegates will receive a comprehensive course manual detailing the techniques for classifying soil types using a global classification system, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, and The Fragile Skin: Soil Landscapes of the UK, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil classification recording cards for your future use.

The course is designed to give delegates:

1. An understanding of the strengths and weakness of soil classification and why it is linked to soil mapping.

2. An understanding of the structure of different classifications used in the UK and why the differ.

3. An understanding of the two systems used at the global level and why the FAO / IUSS World Reference Base (WRB) is most appropriate to correlate soils at the global level.

4. The ability and tools to identify the local WRB soil type in the field.

5. Knowledge of the different abilities of WRB UK soil types to support beneficial soil functions.

It will provide the sound foundation you need to place the information gained from your local field studies or trials in their national and global contexts.

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If you have booked but would like to cancel for whatever reason, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.

Soil Habitat Relocation and Biodiversity Net Gain (23 September 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Soil Habitat Relocation and Biodiversity Net Gain

[Cranfield University]

This new two-day course helps address a recognised national skills gap in soil habitat creation, translocation, and long term biodiversity improvement.

Developed with industry experts, participants will gain a better understanding of how to deliver high quality soil habitat relocation and meet the evolving requirements of biodiversity improvement across the UK. Participants will also develop their knowledge of soil surveys, habitat assessment, management planning, on site delivery and long term monitoring.

The course is designed for practitioners such as soil scientists, ecologists, planners and landscape architects, and more broadly those working within local authorities, environmental NGOs and infrastructure project teams.

Key topics covered:

Effective cross sector and stakeholder engagement
Soil Surveys, testing and desk study information
Preparation of management plans
Interpretation and application to identify appropriate habitats
Successful delivery on site
Ongoing Soil habitat management and monitoring.

Learning Objectives:

Knowing how, when and why to engage with other sector professionals and stakeholders.
Understanding what and when soil information and soil biological, chemical, physical is needed for optimum soil habitat and relocation.
Understanding soils importance for ecosystem services
Understanding effective techniques of manipulating soil.
Understanding what type and the role of soil surveys in site assessment and planning.
Understanding of effective techniques to soil handling and the production of soil management plans.
Understanding the importance of consistency across habitat management and landscape management plans.
How to interpret soil characteristics and soil habitat environments.
Understanding the importance of getting right on site
Identify appropriate objectives on a site basis.

Food and drink will be provided. (Please specify any dietary requirements under the relevant section in the registration form.)

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If you have booked but would like to cancel for whatever reason, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.

A Practical Introduction to the Role of Soils in Catchment Management (Northumberland) (07 October 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT

A Practical Introduction to the Role of Soils in Catchment Management

[Northumberland]

This hands-on, two-day course is designed to fill key knowledge and skills gaps in the application of soil science for improving water quality and quantity outcomes.

Through a mix of presentations, fieldwork, and guided practice, participants will learn to move beyond problem diagnosis and towards practical, field-ready solutions that support landowners and farmers in implementing effective soil and water management strategies.

You will be given a comprehensive course manual that details description techniques, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil recording cards for you to use into the future.

What You Will Learn

How to identify those soil properties that determine key hydrological pathways identified in the HOST classification (Hydrology of Soil Types).
How to identify those soil types that are particularly susceptible to increased runoff, erosion, and compaction as a result of conventional agricultural practices.
How to diagnose field problems and propose practical mitigation measures using evidence-based approaches.
How to confidently undertake field investigations, including reading the landscape – examining soils and interpreting field evidence.
Use of on-line tools such as NVZ maps, A.L.E.R.T., and other resources to provide background information prior to field investigation.
The key hard copy and on-line data sources on UK soils.

By the End of This Course, You Will Be Able To:

Understand how soils affect water movement and quality using the HOST classification.
Evaluate both topsoil and subsoil conditions in the field.
Recommend realistic soil management strategies to reduce runoff, erosion, and compaction.
Conduct field investigations across a range of land uses and landscapes.
Confidently apply soil science in a more practical setting.

Food and drink will be provided. (Please specify any dietary requirements under the relevant section in the registration form.)

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If you have booked but would like to cancel for whatever reason, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.