Our story

How it all began…

The formation of The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) was originally discussed at a meeting of the British Empire Section of the International Society at the Bonnington Hotel, Southampton Row, London on 28 March 1946 and then formally accepted at a meeting on 13 December 1946.

Our Timeline

1947

The provisional committee of the Society met at Rothamsted on 7 January 1947 where a set of rules and recommendations were made for submission to the next meeting of the Society on 15 April 1947. At this first Ordinary meeting, held at the London School of Economics (London), 50 people received Dr R.K. Schofield’s presentation, “A New Approach to Problems of Soil”.

1947

The first meeting of Council took place on 4th June 1947 at the Institute of Archaeology, Regent’s Park, London.

1950

We published the first Journal of Soil Science.

1985

We began producing our second journal Soil Use and Management.

1994

The Journal of Soil Science changed its name to The European Journal of Soil Science.

2008

The Professional Practice Committee set out to define the qualifications, knowledge and skills required by soil scientists. The outcome was our Working with Soil Competency documents.

2010

In 2010, the Society merged with the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists, when we became a registered charity and HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO became our Patron.

2014

We won the bid to host the World Congress of Soil Science in 2022.

2017

2017 was the 70th anniversary of the Society, and a special BSSS 70th Anniversary Book was produced to mark the occasion.

2021

UN Climate Change Conferences Observer Status granted

2022

Our 75th anniversary was marked throughout 2022. BSSS also hosted the World Congress of Soil Science at the SEC in Glasgow.

Present

During our 75 years, we have maintained a strong link with the members we represent, through our Board, Council and Past Presidents. During 2023, we will be working on activities which meet our long-term vision and strategy.

22nd World Congress of Soil Science - Preliminary Programme - Brochure