As 2026 gets fully underway I have been reflecting on my first year in the role of IUSS President Elect and also looking forward to 2027 when I will take on the role of IUSS President, following in the footsteps of esteemed colleagues. Stepping into the role felt daunting and there is so much I have leaned over the last year. I’m using all the skills and knowledge I gained from my roles with BSSS which has been hugely valuable, but every day remains a school day!
The IUSS Mission is to promote all branches of soil science and its applications, to promote contacts among scientists and other people engaged in the study and the application of soil science, to stimulate scientific research and to further the application of such research. With 60,000 soil scientists globally as its membership, the opportunities through the networks IUSS supports to educate, influence and engage on soils in the widest context are immense.
My aspiration for IUSS, building on all the work that IUSS has done over the last 100 years, is to ensure IUSS further enhances its clear focus on advancing the discipline of soil science and supporting the development of soil scientist across our community, alongside ensuring IUSS is known as the global champion for the recognition of soils, and the first point of contact for advice, guidance and support. With the World Congress of Soil Science happening in Nanjing in June this year there will be a lot of activity, and just as with the legacy BSSS and IUSS together delivered from the last Congress in Glasgow, we want to use the extra momentum the World Congress generates to focus attention on existing activities and kickstart new initiatives.
The theme for World Congress is Soil and the Shared Future for Humanity, and this links well to the IUSS 2025-2034 Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development – Healthy Soils for Humanity. As soils continue to move up the agenda, with these themes setting the framework for conversations and debate, and events such as the World Congress facilitating the sharing of science, the building of relationships and enabling collaboration, now really is a good time to be a soil scientist.Â
The opportunity for National Soil Science Societies to work together more to promote soil science globally and to share examples of best practice between peers, related scientific disciplines and society (including with policy makers) will play a large part in creating a framework for success in addressing the existential threats we face; for example, without healthy and secure soils we can’t achieve food security, social stability and resilience and a sustainable future. I look forward to discussing, collaborating and building relationships as part of my role, not least in person in Nanjing this year.
 Soil Judging Competition
BSSS is proud to be supporting the next generation of soil scientists by sending a team to Nanjing to take part in the soil judging competition. This is a fantastic opportunity for participants to develop their practical skills, represent the UK on an international stage, and connect with peers from across the global soil science community.
