Wow what a year! I feel we have really raised the profile of BSSS and the members on the national and international stage and extended the community of those discovering new knowledge about soil in its widest aspects. We have already delivered on our new mission and vision through the impact and influence of our collective expertise and actions over the last year. I will come onto some key highlights below.
But first I want to spotlight the Society executive team that has gone from strength to strength in 2024. We were delighted to welcome Andy Morris, who joined us in February as our new Executive Director and has shaped a brilliant programme of work to deliver our new mission and vision. Natalie Coles sadly left us earlier in the year as she had an amazing opportunity to further her career and make an impact in another sector. This gave us an opportunity to expand the executive team with some brand-new positions to compliment the excellent work that Dom and Christine are doing. Adrienne and Max joined us in August to support our business development activities and membership support. And Ed started in late 2024 as our policy and public affairs officer. This will enable us to expand our impact and influence in policy and partnerships and strengthen the support for members towards our mission for sustainable soils for people and planet.
On that note, Sustainable Soils for People and Planet was the theme for our Annual Conference in December – which was amazing! I was totally bowled over by the breadth of innovative research our members are undertaking and how soil is embedded in many aspects of science and society. The art and culture room and soils, society and culture theme were a first. I am delighted we created these spaces where disciplines can collide – it is at these intersecting edges where our co-learning sparks new and novel discoveries. Our other popular events during the year (zoom into soil webinars, training courses and regional group meetings), also provided valuable opportunities for member interaction, knowledge exchange and CPD.
We made a step-change in our engagement activities and had a significant impact at several side events at UNFCCC COP29 and UNCCD COP16, supporting diverse panels advocating for soil health in the COPs and expanding our international network and partnerships. Soil health continues to gain traction internationally and I was delighted to give evidence in the Canadian Senate in their enquiry into soil heath, where some of our recommendations appeared in the enquiry report. We have also continued to engage with IUSS, delivering a soil policy session at the Centennial in Florence, and accelerated our public engagement activities in the UK (Lincolnshire Show, Groundswell, British Science Festival). Our journals, the European Journal of Soil Science and Soil Use and Management, continue to be leaders in the discipline at the forefront of publishing ground breaking and impactful research. We were delighted to celebrate 75 years of EJSS in 2024 and we are now looking forward to marking 40 years of SUM this year.
As President it has been an absolute privilege to represent BSSS and the incredible membership. A big thanks to the executive team, Past-President Bruce Lascelles, committee members & chairs, our journal editors, our new members and everyone who has made this journey so rewarding and special. I also want to thank our Patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, for his support of the Society and members over the last 8 years, and we are excited to announce a new grant to honour his patronage. I look forward to continuing to be part of the presidential team over next 2 years with a focus on ED&I and supporting the ECR members in soil judging (as well as lots of other things, I’m sure!). Over to you Paul!
Thank you for your support, volunteering, enthusiasm and insights. I hope you will continue to be involved with the Society in 2025 (and beyond) whether as a committee chair, volunteer at our public engagement events, attending our training and conference events or publishing in our journals, there are many ways that you can be part of this fantastic community. For more information about the Society or becoming a volunteer, please get in touch via admin@soils.org.uk.
Jack Hannam, President, 2023-2024
