We are currently accepting oral and poster abstracts for our Annual Conference taking place in December. The abstract review panel is accepting abstracts in one of five topics linked to the conference theme, Soils at the Centre of Change: Innovation, Adaptation and Action:
- Soils for Life [Soil Health, Soil Functions, Indicators, Metrics, Ecosystem Service Delivery, Soil Biodiversity, and Sustainable Soils in Different Land Uses.]
- Soils for Climate [Net Zero, Carbon Sequestration, Peatlands, Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fluxes]
- Soils for Water [Nutrient and Water management, Soil Erosion, and Nutrient and Water Use Efficiency.]
- Soils for a Digital Age [Sensors and Instrumentation, New techniques, AI and Data, Forensics, Modelling, and Decision Support Tools.]
- Soils for People [Soil, Social Sciences and Culture, Interdisciplinary Work, Stakeholder Engagement, Participatory Research and Citizen Science, and Art ]
Useful Information
Abstracts will only be considered if they meet the following criteria:
- Length: Maximum of 300 words
- Keywords: Add up to 10 descriptive ‘search’ keywords
- Lead author’s organisation and email details must be included
Submissions
You can submit more than 1 abstract if you wish. If you are currently working on your project and will be collecting results later in the year, you can still submit now and have the chance to amend your presentation closer to the conference if it is selected. You do not have to be a BSSS member to submit. We encourage submissions from related disciplines as well as soil science.
Oral abstract submissions will be open until Monday 31 August.
Poster abstract submissions will be open until Friday 23 October.
The British Society of Soil Science 2026 Annual Conference will take place from Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December in Aberdeen. The overall conference theme is Soils at the Centre of Change: Innovation, Adaptation and Action. The packed multi-disciplinary event spanning the built, natural environment and agricultural sectors, set at the University of Aberdeen, will provide delegates with a fantastic opportunity to see the latest research and developments within soil science. The exciting and diverse programme will feature keynote speakers and experts across the 2 days.
Programme
The exciting and diverse programme will feature keynote speakers and experts across the 2 days. This will include a policy session, discussion panel sessions, an invited keynote, oral presentations and posters across the 5 themes, quickfire presentations, parallel CPD sessions, an art and culture exhibition, and scientific tours on the final day. We will also be holding a Gala Dinner and Awards Evening on the first night of the Annual Conference.
The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and industry leaders to examine how soil science can drive practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental, societal, and policy challenges we face today.
With growing global attention on climate resilience, land use, food security, and nature recovery, soils are increasingly recognised as fundamental to sustainable systems. This event will provide a platform to discuss innovation, adaptation, and action across research, policy, and practice, with a particular focus on:
- The role of soils in climate mitigation and adaptation
- Soil–water interactions, flood resilience, and water quality
- Digital technologies and data-driven approaches in soil science
- The contribution of soils to ecosystems, livelihoods, and human wellbeing
- Translating soil science into effective policy and on-the-ground action
