Membership
Become a member today
As the leading society for soil scientists and professionals in the UK, BSSS promotes the success of all its individual members, provides support for continued professional development, publishes peer reviewed journals of the highest quality and offers the expansion of soils knowledge through training and knowledge exchange.
BSSS encourages anyone with an interest in soil, whether this interest lies in the soil itself or its wider use within the environment, to join the society. There is a small membership fee, with discounts for students and those from low income countries. Find out more about the benefits of being a member and category options below.
Membership Benefits
reasons to join
- Demonstrate your experience and commitment to soil science through Society membership
- Discount registration fees for BSSS conferences and events, including Working with Soil which introduces our professional competencies
- The opportunity to apply for member-only grants
- Access to our soil science community
- Gain accreditation as a Chartered Scientist (CSci) in partnership with the Science Council.
Membership Benefits
Publications
- Free access to our two Scientific Journals; European Journal of Soil Science and Soil Use and Management
- Soil Matters; our members’ magazine published every June and December
- Bi-monthly email newsletters.
Membership
Membership rates
We offer the following categories for new member applications. The criteria and membership fees are set out below.
If you are interested in joining and reside in a country defined as ‘low income’ by the World Bank, please contact us to discuss your application.
Full
- Open to scientists and other professionals with a minimum of 5 years’ track-record in soil science research or application
- Full Members can use the designation M.I. Soil Sci
- Graduates with non-honours degrees or honours degrees in other subjects with non-soils bias but with subsequent soil experience may be eligible
- CV and application reviewed by the Professional Practice Committee
Technical
- Open to skilled and experienced administrative staff engaged in soil science research, government, NGO and commercial activities but who are not eligible for Full membership
- Open to graduates who may not have the experience required for Full membership
- CV and application reviewed by the Professional Practice Committee
Early Career
- Open to all registered students of soil science and its allied disciplines
- Open to graduates with a recognised honours degree in soil science or related scientific subjects with less than 5 years professional experience
- Available for a maximum of 5 years after qualification
- Proof of student status or qualification certificate reviewed on application
Associate
- Open to anyone with an interest in soil science or who does not meet the other membership categories
Membership Type
Corporate Membership
Becoming a Corporate Member of BSSS demonstrates to your staff and customers that you care about soil and are building a collaborative partnership to help safeguard our soil for the future.
Join us and help make a positive difference in the sustainable management and long-term security of soils that is critical to solving the environmental and societal challenges we face today.
Membership
Other Types of Memberships
The following membership categories are available for current members only:
- Fellow (F.I. Soil Sci.); the Professional Practice Committee may recommend the award of Fellow status to members who have achieved an important level of responsibility and professional experience and have become recognised nationally/ internationally within the profession.
- Retired (no fee); offered to individuals who have been a long serving Member of the Society and are no longer working, but who still have an interest in keeping in contact with our activities.
- Honorary (no fee); a discretionary award made by the Society to persons who have been a Full Member of the Society for at least 10 preceding consecutive years and/or who have made an exceptional contribution to the objectives of the Society.
