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.
![Golden sparkling star isolated on dark luxury horizontal background. Vector design element.](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AdobeStock_292980370.jpeg)
OUR AWARDS
We support annual awards with the following academic institutions:
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
We are also delighted to support the Margaret Oliver ‘Young Pedometrics’ Award.
2024 AWARD WINNERS
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/arjun-babu-zaheer-cranfield-graduation-2024-.jpg)
Cranfield University
Most Promising Soil Scientist: Arjun Babu Zaheer
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/harry-edwards-hau-2024-award.jpg)
Harper Adams University
Best undergraduate final year dissertation on a soil related subject: Harry Edwards
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/joel-andrews-harper-adams.jpg)
Harper Adams University
Best Postgraduate Final Year Dissertation on a Soil-Related Subject: Joel Andrews
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Lancaster-University.png)
Lancaster University
Undergraduate Award:
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/charlotte-griffiths-2024-award-rau-.jpg)
Royal Agricultural University
Best Student in Soil Science: Charlotte Griffiths
(Sustainable Soil Management)
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/flora-reid-sruc-2024-award.jpg)
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
Outstanding Performance in a Soil Science Based MSc Project: Flora Reid
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Uni-of-Aberdeen.png)
University of Aberdeen
Outstanding Performance in a Soil Science Based MSc Project:
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Uni-of-Aberdeen.png)
University of Aberdeen
Outstanding Performance in a Soil Science Based Honours Project:
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/andrew-butler-nottingham-2024-award.jpg)
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.”)
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Reading.png)
University of Reading
Best MSc Dissertation Award: Thomas McNeil
![](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bsss-logo-blog.jpg)
Margaret Oliver 'Young Pedometrics' Award
![bruce lascelles osca award conference 2024](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bruce-lascelles-osca-award-conference-2024.jpg)
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).
Congratulations Bruce!
2023 Early Career Conference Award Winners
![catriona willougby presentation award 2023](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/catriona-willougby-presentation-award-2023.jpg)
best oral presentation
Catriona Willoughby
![elisabeth appleton poster award 2023](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/elisabeth-appleton-poster-award-2023.jpg)
best poster
Elisabeth Appleton
![Megha Kaviraj delegate choice poster award 2023](https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Megha-Kaviraj-delegate-choice-poster-award-2023.jpg)
Delegate’s Choice award: best poster
Megha Kaviraj