Course Transformative Soil Science

Scope

Soils are everywhere, yet nowhere the same. Everyone relates to soil, directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously.

There is increasing awareness of the limits of technocratic approaches to managing nature, both in science (e.g., through the concept of planetary boundaries) and society (e.g., through ecological movements). This calls for transformations of the relationships between humans and nature. Soil sciences are particularly well suited to lead such transformations because soils are the literal and affective foundation of society. Soils play a key role in a wide range of environmental and socio-economic challenges, which is being recognized by society and among policy makers. There is a need for a transformative soil science that effectively engages with these challenges.

The aim of this course is to enable early-career (soil) scientists to be equipped with the necessary tools and skills that can help shape the direction of soil science. Transformative soil science puts the scientist at the centre and makes explicit the connections between soil, science and society to address the most pressing socio-environmental challenges of our time. Grounded in transdisciplinary perspectives from natural and social sciences and the humanities, the course will help early-career scientists to understand their own perspectives on soil, and how to connect with other perspectives in an integral way of knowledge generation that contributes to meaningful transformations.

Together, we will experience the strengths and limitations of our current ways of thinking and doing soil science, and will become inspired as we break those boundaries.

Learning goals

The course is structured in three parts, along the three learning goals.

Day 1 - Reflecting on our relationship with soil: Participants can describe and challenge their (ways of) understanding of soils, and explain how its development is influenced by soil science history and its associated knowledge and practices.

This learning goals entails two parts: (1) understanding who we are as individuals, i.e., understanding the Self, and how this relates to our understanding of soil; (2) understanding who we are as part of the various communities that we belong to, notably the soil scientific community.

Day 2 - Experiencing alternative perspectives on soil: Participants increase their capacities in recognizing and sympathizing with multiple perspectives (e.g., social, cultural, behavioural) and realities concerning soil knowledge.

After reflecting on the Self, we focus on understanding the perspective of the Other. The Other can take the form of a stakeholders in soil management, or can be soil itself. These perspectives will be explored through creative exercises facilitated by scientist-artists with experience in navigating diverse soil perspectives.

Day 3 – Exploring transformations in our own research: Participants can recognize their own and other perspectives related to their research, and identify pathways of transformation for themselves and their work.

We will facilitate activities that allow us to re-value ourselves and our work in light of the discoveries made throughout the course. We recognize that to do Transformative Soil Science is a journey. We do not aspire definitive answers to our questions by the end of the course, but aim to set up strategies to engage with transformative methods within our own research.

Assumed knowledge

No specific knowledge required, but having affinity with soil and/or a basic understanding of soil science is essential.

Lecturers

• Wietse Wiersma
• Giulia Bongiorno
• Thom Kuyper
• Kate Foster
• Diana Lopez

Activities

The course features a variety of activities, including but not limited to a field visit close to campus, lectures, group and self-reflection exercises, and artistic expression. Additionally, participants will be asked to complete two homework assignments, one before the start of the course and one after the course ends (more information will be provided).

General information

Selection of participants

The course has a maximum of 20 participants. Selection will be based on a short motivation (max. 250 words) in which the candidate describes their motivation for participating in the course.

Target group

PhD candidates and post-docs with an interest in or connection to soil in their project.

Additional information

Credit points: 1.3 ECTS
Language: The course will be given in English
Group size: Min. 15, Max. 20 participants

Hours

The course runs from 9h to 17h on scheduled days.Before and after the course you will also need to prepare an assignment, both assignments will take about half a day.

Registration

Early bird registration deadline is before the 18^th of September. Regular registration deadline is after the 18^th of September until the 25^th of October.

Fee

The fee includes tea / coffee and lunch on all course days and one time drinks and bites.

Cancellation conditions

Up to 4 (four) weeks prior to the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge.

Up to 2 (two) weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of €115,- will be charged.

In case of cancellation within two weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of €230,- will be charged.

If you do not show at all, a fee of €280,- will nevertheless be charged.

Note: If you would like to cancel your registration, ALWAYS inform us.

Also note that when there are not enough participants, we can cancel the course. We will inform you if this is the case a week after the registration deadline. Please take this into account when arranging your trip to the course (I.e. check the re-imbursement policies).