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Soils Training and Research Studentships

“to create a novel and unique national training experience for the next generation of soil scientists” 

2021 Autumn conference coming up

World Soil Orders and Their Formation in the Canary Islands - Film available now

See film here

STARS Autumn 2021 conference: 21st-24th September

Ground-breaking research talks, key-note speakers from the world of soil, professional development, policy and practice. Art, music and interdisciplinarity. Open to all. 

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Funded by NERC and BBSRC, the STARS Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is an exciting consortium of 8 organizations, comprising 4 universities and 4 research institutes from around England, Scotland and Wales who are collaborating to offer training to PhD students in soil science.

So far 40 students have been recruited to the STARS CDT and have the added benefit of cohort training in the STARS College, both face-to-face and online. They have access to internationally renowned soil scientists and research facilities as well as benefiting from the support of fellow students from across the country.

STARS in action

What we’re doing & why it matters. STARS films focus on individual research, science communication and more. 

Watch here
STARS on the web

Check out STARS students’ achievements and more. 

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STARS conferences

Productive & enjoyable conferences were held in early 2019, 2020 & 2021. We are now preparing for the hybrid Autumn 2021 conference, to be held online and at several hubs nationwide: 21st – 24th September 2021.  

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Latest News

Conference going online

Not deterred by a countrywide lockdown, STARS will take to the internet for their conference this February. Plans are underway for an exciting day of soil science, conversation and social activities. …
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The STARS legacy assured

STARS CDT has been successful in obtaining a NERC flexible translation award to fund work to enhance and prolong the impact of the STARS CDT on soil science research. The CDT, which initially received…
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A placement despite lockdown

STARS student Ben Freeman was able to benefit from a 3-month work placement despite lockdown. The placement, completed in August 2020, was a success for both Ben and his employers at Defra. Ben’s pl…
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