What is YECS?

The Young and Early Career Scientists (YECS) Working Group is the official space for young soil scientists within the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS). It was approved by the IUSS Executive Committee on 26 September 2022 and belongs to Division 4 – The Role of Soils in Sustaining Society and the Environment.

YECS brings together students, PhD candidates, early-career researchers, and young professionals from every field of soil science.

Our members — more than 450 by October 2026 — lead school visits, workshops, roundtables, congress sessions, podcasts, and multilingual booklets around the world.

Our mission

To connect, train and give visibility to young and early career soil scientists worldwide, and to bring soil knowledge to children and young people, while promoting diversity and inclusion within the IUSS.

Our vision

A globally connected and inclusive soil science community, where every young person interested in soils can find mentors, opportunities and a voice.

Our priorities

Inclusion and gender equity — honour the historical contributions of women in soil science and build fair career opportunities for women and underrepresented groups.
Youth-led projects — help young scientists, especially in the Global South, secure funding for education, outreach and research.
International networks — build partnerships with international organisations and scientific journals for research, science diplomacy and publishing skills.
Multilingual soil education — bring soil concepts to children in their own languages and cultures.
Bridges between generations — connect early career and senior soil scientists through sessions, mentoring and joint projects.

History

YECS originated from two key youth initiatives: the International Conference of Young Scientists – Soil in the Environment (SITE) in Poland and Proyecto Suelox, an educational initiative in Mexico. Bartłomiej Glina and Axel Cerón González presented a proposal to IUSS 2023-2024 President Laura Bertha Reyes Sánchez to create a dedicated group for young soil scientists. This academic initiative gained strong global traction and was endorsed by more than 70 experts from 34 countries.

2014

2022

YECS approved by the IUSS Executive Committee (26 Sep). Logo designed by Marcin Sykuła. Bartłomiej Glina is appointted as Chair.

2023

SITE conferences start in Poland — the seed of YECS.

First International Round Table for Young and Early Career Scientists in Mexico City, 135 participants from 23 countries (online).

2024

Axel Cerón González becomes Chair and Dawid Kupka Vice Chair; Bartłomiej Glina continues as mentor. First YECS-Elsevier cohort joins Early Career Editorial Boards. YECS paper published in Geoderma.

2025

2026

YECS at the IUSS Centennial in Florence: Youth Digging session, plenary talk and launch of The Mystery of Ancient Soils!

YECS co-chairs the Soil & People session at the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (Nanjing); YECS Team places 6th in the International Soil Judging Contest; first YECS presentation at FAO headquarters.