We are the largest group of soil scientists in the UK, with expertise spanning basic soil physics, chemistry and biology; to soil management and conservation; to soil informatics and resource evaluation. We have world-class facilities for soil research and teaching, and are home to national and international soil datasets.
Our expertise covers the following sub-disciplines:
Soil systems science
- Soil biogeochemistry – Prof Guy Kirk, Dr Rob Simmons, Dr Ruben Sakrabani
- Soil physics – Prof Wilfred Otten, Prof Jane Rickson
- Soil biology and ecology – Prof Jim Harris, Dr Nick Girkin, Dr Mark Pawlett, Dr Alice Johnston
- Atmospheric emissions – Prof Neil Harris, Dr Michelle Cain, Dr Nick Girkin
- Modelling soil processes – Prof Guy Kirk, Prof Wilfred Otten, Prof Ron Corstanje
Soil, crop and water management
- Soil management and conservation – Prof Jane Rickson, Dr Rob Simmons, Dr Lynda Deeks
- Soil water management – Prof Jerry Knox, Prof Tim Hess
- Crop and catchment scale management – Prof Ian Holman, Dr Paul Burgess
Soil informatics
- Pedology – Dr Jack Hannam
- Pedometrics and geospatial data – Prof Ron Corstanje, Dr Abdou Khouakhi
- Earth observation – Dr Toby Waine, Dr Dan Simms
- Life cycle assessment – Dr Adrian Williams
- Environmental informatics – Prof Steve Hallett
Our doctoral training centres
Example projects
- Soil carbon
- Root-soil interactions
- Using roots to bio-engineer soil
- Urban BESS (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Sustainability)
- Modelling national-scale changes in soils
Working with us
Our facilities
Clients and partners
