Academic Recognition

AWARD WINNERS

We are proud to sponsor a prize and trophy for a number of awards within academic institutions, which are presented annually to students based on criteria set with each one.

All of our award winners receive two years free membership to the Society as part of their prize.

OUR AWARDS

We support annual awards with the following academic institutions:

Cranfield University

Harper Adams University

Lancaster University

Myerscough College

Royal Agricultural University

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

University of Aberdeen

University of Reading

University of Nottingham

We are also delighted to support the Margaret Oliver ‘Young Pedometrics’ Award.

2024 AWARD WINNERS

Cranfield University

 Most Promising Soil Scientist: Arjun Babu Zaheer

Harper Adams University

Best undergraduate final year dissertation on a soil related subject: Harry Edwards

Harper Adams University

Best Postgraduate Final Year Dissertation on a Soil-Related Subject: Joel Andrews

Lancaster University

Undergraduate Award

Royal Agricultural University

 Best Student in Soil Science: Charlotte Griffiths

(Sustainable Soil Management)

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

Outstanding Performance in a Soil Science Based MSc Project: Flora Reid

University of Aberdeen

Outstanding Performance in a Soil Science Based MSc Project: 

University of Aberdeen

Outstanding Performance in a Soil Science Based Honours Project: 

University of Nottingham

Outstanding Performance in a Soil Science related project: Andrew Butler

(“Evidence of elevated soil and biomass carbon storage in temperate rainforests of the Lake District, England.”)

University of Reading

Best MSc Dissertation Award: Thomas McNeil

Margaret Oliver 'Young Pedometrics' Award

Outstanding Society Contribution Award 2024

The Outstanding Society Contribution Award recognises the valuable work undertaken by all of our volunteers, whilst highlighting the outstanding contribution provided by one or more members.

This year’s award was presented during the BSSS Annual Conference to Dr Bruce Lascelles. Bruce has long-standing involvement with BSSS. He joined the Institute of Professional Soil scientists (IPSS) Council in 2006 and was Chair of IPSS from 2011 to 2012. He supported the successful merger of IPSS and BSSS in 2012 which helped to greatly expand the society, unifying the academic and industry members to make it a more effective organisation. Bruce has held several senior leadership roles in BSSS, including President Elect (2019-2020), President (2021-2022), and Past President (2023-2024).

 
The most significant highlight was Bruce leading the successful bid in 2014 into host the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS22). This brought global recognition to the British Society of Soil Science. In these roles Bruce demonstrated his exceptional leadership, international collaboration, and strategic, forward-thinking approach. He has been an exceptional champion for the Society, embedding soil in many varied sectors and has and bought the Society to the global stage and has recently been elected as the new President-Elect of IUSS.

Congratulations Bruce!

2023 Early Career Conference Award Winners

best oral presentation

Catriona Willoughby

best poster

Elisabeth Appleton

Delegate’s Choice award: best poster

Megha Kaviraj