What a year! As the 75th anniversary of the Society comes to an end, so does my Presidency, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved during that time.
Over the last ten years, the World Congress of Soil Science has become a significant part of my life. Starting with developing the bid ten years ago, winning the bid eight years ago in Jeju, South Korea, becoming a member of the IUSS Executive Committee six years ago and leading the World Congress Working Group in the delivery of the Congress.
I couldn’t be prouder of the outcomes we achieved during the event. Set against a backdrop of Covid-19 and Brexit, arguably the 22nd World Congress was the most challenging to deliver. Despite half the usual number of delegates at a World Congress, we were delighted to welcome almost 1,400 delegates in person and a further 300 online, to Glasgow.
In addition to the fantastic scientific programme, the plenary sessions of which are available exclusively for members in our Member Zone, our volunteers and executive team delivered a number of complementary activities for delegates and the wider public. Delegates visited our fringe events which included discussions around long-term experiments from the Ecological Continuity Trust, viewed artwork from Newton Harrison courtesy of the Barn Arts and had the opportunity to see and purchase pottery made from hand-dug Scottish clay, courtesy of the Scottish Potters’ Association.
Volunteers, including some of the Early Careers members who had received a travel grant to attend the conference, delivered a week-long residency at the Glasgow Science Centre. These volunteers engaged with over 7,000 people during the week of the Congress, highlighting the importance of soil via our ‘Soil Explorer’ activities developed by the education committee. This was by far the largest outreach event the Society has hosted during its 75 years and the feedback from the public was incredibly encouraging.
As we leave the Congress (and ten years of my life!) behind, it is important that we do not lose sight of the importance of leaving a positive legacy in both Glasgow and the wider world. For this, we set out Council’s agreed 2023 Strategy which includes a number of legacy activities using the surplus made from the Congress.
In the short-term, we have already begun to leave this positive legacy behind: commissioning what we believe to be the first Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a Congress and introducing an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion representative on both our Board and Council, whose role will be to ensure the positive processes we implemented during the Congress, such as blind reviewing abstracts, are continued throughout the Society’s other activities.
As my Presidency ends, I couldn’t be prouder of the amazing achievements we have made during the last two years. In my introduction published in December 2020 I highlighted the importance of extending the Society’s profile and reach, ensuring that our voice is heard and that we make clear statements on key issues in support of soil science and our membership. The Congress was clearly a key success in this over the last two years, but in parallel we have established and grown relationships with a wide range of other organisations, supporting initiatives, promoting each other’s events and seeking to collaborate to a greater extent. I have personally enjoyed the opportunities this has raised to make new contacts, speak at events and Chair working groups on behalf of the Society and as we build on these relationships further and develop new ones this will help keep the Society at the forefront of driving recognition, engagement and policy around our soils.
I would like to end my final address to members by thanking Sacha Mooney (Past President) and Tom Aspray (Professional Practice Committee Past Chair), both of whom will leave Board at the end of December. Their supportive challenge has been crucial for Board over their six- and five-year terms, respectively. They have supported me in my role and helped the Society to achieve the things I have highlighted in this address. I hope that I can provide the same support to Jack Hannam, our Incoming President.
Both personally and professionally, the Congress has been an absolute highlight of my career to date. Thank you again to our volunteers and executive: it has been an absolute pleasure to lead the Society and work with such a committed team.
Although I’m looking forward to taking some time off, I feel incredibly positive for what is coming next for the Society. The things we have learnt from the Congress and our 2023 strategy provide lots of opportunity for the Society to grow and increase its impact over the coming years. I am excited both as a Trustee and Society member, to be a part of that.
With all the best for the festive period and a happy new year to you all.
Bruce Lascelles, President 2020 – 2022
