From the Ground up – in All Directions.

Technology, information and business models are rapidly growing and changing, providing a great challenge for soil scientists to be knowledgeable, nimble and work across disciplines.  Professionals need to consider core education and continuing education opportunities from both the core capacity of soil science knowledge and skills as well as the ability to link to other disciplines, however closely or distantly related to soils.  Value of a soils professional can be considered in a two dimensional plane of soils expertise and ability to link in a cross disciplinary fashion.

Have we met our predictions and needs?  A brief review of historical literature will examine past paradigms and predictions and assess progress if any.  Currently businesses are changing rapidly in how they do business and how they link for advantages in logistics, value chains and knowledge development.  Are universities and governments changing?  Is a paradigm shift now needed for them to catch up?  Drivers of the current evolution or transformation will be identified as will some opportunities for future-focused institutions to consider.

I will draw upon my own career experiences to illustrate the benefits and challenges to developing a “T-shaped soil scientist” profile.  This profile will be analyzed against the emerging needs of business and drivers of change.  Collectively soil scientists can provide leadership to finding solutions to the complex challenges ahead but they must consciously train and prepare themselves and their institutions.