Whimsical soil and plant science musings of some PhDs
Earlier this week, the British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) hosted an Early Careers Research Conference at the University of York. Running since 1986, the conference brings together vibrant PhD students in the area of soil science. BSSS regard an important…
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Many people consider the Soil Survey of England and Wales to be focused solely on agricultural research. Indeed, it was this that provided its initial impetus and funding. However, during the late 1980s and into the early 1990s new interpretations…
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In this post, Alex Cooke discusses the use of the UK’s Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) in planning policy from her prior perspective as a practising soil-scientist. Foundation for the ALC system In 1941 Hans Jenny published his famous ‘CLORPT’ equation[1] which stated…
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Last week, I left the rurality of Cranfield and headed to the lofty heights of London town. I was there to attend a NERC-funded workshop so named ‘Big Data to Solutions – Environmental Risks’. The workshop was organised and run by Cambridge…
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The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) in collaboration with Cranfield University (CU) and the James Hutton Institute (JHI) recently hosted a NERC-funded (Natural Environment Research Council) course for PhD and postdoctoral researchers entitled ‘Dirt Science’. The week-long residential course aimed…
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There appears to have been a Twitter-storm this week regarding ‘science-induced art’. See this Nature article for more information. Using the twitter analytical website, Topsy we can see the spike in Tweets using the #SciArt hashtag at the beginning of March. The #SciArt…
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The Science and Technology Select Committee published a 5th report last week on Advanced genetic techniques for crop improvement: regulation, risk and precaution, which identifies three major flaws in the EU regulation of genetically modified (GM) crops. Present regulations are based…
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Welcome to our new blog, The Dirt Doctors! Do you have an interest in all things soils, agriculture and plants? Perhaps you currently undertake academic research in this area, are thinking of doing so in the near future, or just…
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