Global Impact
YECS has expanded to over 439 members from 63 countries and 279 institutions. Our network drives demographic insights into the next generation of soil scientists, working towards gender balance (currently +1.7% women) and bridging regional participation gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Near East.
Read the full analysis in Geoderma (2025):
Securing the future of soil science: Addressing global demographic barriers to engage youth and accelerate early careers, Geoderma 455, 117220 (open access)
Strategic Partners
Parent organisation; YECS is a Working Group of Division 4. The IUSS Stimulus Fund supported member projects in Cameroon (2023) and Indonesia (2024).
Co-author of The Mystery of Ancient Soils! and partner in multilingual education
Funded The Mystery of Ancient Soils! (2023).
King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2022 (Proyecto Suelox, UNAM); 3rd place in the WSD 2024 podcast contest; YECS presented at the GSP General Assembly 2026
Calls for YECS members to join Early Career Editorial Boards of soil journals (first cohort 2025).
Travel support for YECS members and co-creation of GENNE – Global Ecosystem Network of Networks (2024).
Travel support for two young Latin American soil scientists to the ISC Global Dialogue in Santiago, Chile (2024).
Global Women's Breakfast network.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Urban.Brussels
Spanish-language soil education platform; home of Suelófono and The Mystery.
Host events, regional hubs and support for the Global Women's Breakfast..
Co-organisers of the 2024 International Workshop on Archaeological Soil Micromorphology.