Soil Matters
Soil science podcast brought to you by The British Society of Soil Science
Soil Matters is brought to you by the British Society of Soil Science, the professional body for soil scientists in the UK. Soil Matters is dedicated to bridging the gap between scientific research and real world application.
Each episode will feature leading experts, researchers, and practitioners discussing the latest findings, innovations, and challenges in soil science. From exploring soil’s role in dealing with climate change mitigation and adaptation, to sustainable agriculture, food security and biodiversity, Soil Matters hopes to engage you with content that highlights the importance of soil in shaping our planet’s future. Whether you’re an academic, policymaker, practitioner, or just curious about the ground beneath your feet, please join us over the next few months.
Disclaimer: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of the British Society of Soil Science. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of the British Society of Soil Science.
Podcast Host
Paul Lincoln
Paul Lincoln worked for the Landscape Institute, the chartered body for landscape architects for eighteen years. During this period, he was Director of Policy and Communications; Deputy Chief Executive; editor of the Institute’s journal – Landscape and host of the monthly podcast Talking Landscape. Paul is a City of London guide – leading tours on post-war architecture, landscape and urban design. Paul is also a printmaker based at East London Printmakers. He studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at New College, Oxford and has an MA in Cities, Design and Regeneration from London Metropolitan University.
Episode 1 – Bioremediation
Episode 1 - Bioremediation
Tackling land contamination and how soil made it to a central London art gallery
Professor Frederic Coulon, Professor Tony Gutierrez, and Professor Jack Hannam
In previous years, land contamination was seen as an impediment to making the most of a site. Groundbreaking new approaches to bioremediation have completely changed the approaches to reclaiming land and to realising its true worth. Speaking on behalf of the EBNet project, soil scientists Professor Fred Coulon and Professor Tony Gutierrez, outline their current research and their plans for the future.
At the heart of their work is the potential for using bioremediation for carbon capture, a topic that is also address in a new art exhibition at London’s Somerset House. British Society of Soil Science Past-President, Professor Jack Hannam, visited in the opening week and explains why this landmark exhibition offers an amazing opportunity to connecting the public to a scientific body of research and elevate the importance of soil science in tackling climate change and food security.
You can find more details about their research here
You can find out about EBNet Pollutants & Media theme here
Frederic Coulon - Cranfield University
Frederic Coulon is Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology at Cranfield University. Fred’s interests include soil and water chemistry; transport of chemicals in surface and subsurface waters; water and wastewater treatment; soil and sediment treatment; hazardous waste site remediation; energy and environment; population and environment; and public communication of environmental science and engineering.
Tony Gutierrez, Heriot-Watt University
Tony Gutierrez is Professor of Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology at Heriot-Watt University, Scotland. Tony’s research aims to understand the role that microbes play in the environmental pollutants, like plastics, crude oil and other petrochemicals, and to harness their power to help clean up contaminated land and water. His specialism focuses on the bacteria which, like viruses and microscopic algae, are too small to be seen by the naked eye. His passion is to make a better world through better understanding, and harnessing the power, of microbes.
Jack Hannam - BSSS Past-President
Professor Jack Hannam is Immediate Past-President of the British Society of Soil Science, following her presidency from 2023 – 2024. She is a soil scientist specialising in soil data, digital soil mapping and soil health. Her research focuses on digital soil mapping, applications of conservation agriculture to improve soil health, developing decision support tools for planning soil and landscape decisions and the application of application of national and local scale soil data for policy and business applications.
She leads the LandIS team at Cranfield University, who are responsible for the national soil data for England and Wales. Jack is also vice chair of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) Division 1: Soil in Space and Time. She is an Associate Editor for the journals Soil Use and Management and SOIL. She is a passionate science communicator and has been interviewed on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Sky News and BBC World. She founded Soapbox Science in Milton Keynes in 2015, a public outreach platform promoting women in science.
This episode is sponsored by the Environmental Biotechnology Network, or EBNet, a network in industrial biotechnology and bioenergy comprising a community of academics and industry dedicated to engineering microbio systems for environmental protection, bioremediation and resource recovery.
EBNet is one of six networks in industrial biotechnology and bioenergy supported by UK research and innovation.
You can find out more information about the EBNet themes covered here
