Nominations for the 2025 CG Stephens PhD Award can be submitted until August 31st by using the form below.
The award will be made to successful applications for the best PhD thesis in soil science granted by an Australian University in the previous calendar year.
Eligibility & Conditions:
– Open to financial student and ordinary members with a PhD in soil science from an Australian university in the previous year.
– Thesis must have completed examination, but the degree need not be conferred.
– Students who join after submitting their thesis are ineligible.
Nominations must contain:
– the Title of PhD thesis being considered for the Award
– an electronic copy of the whole thesis
– an electronic copy of the Abstract
– at least two electronic copies of the External Examiners’ reports.
Assessment of each thesis will be based upon the originality of the work, its significance to soil science and its clarity of writing.
The CG Stephens PhD Award is presented by the Federal President or proxy at the Soil Science Australia national conference or another event determined by the Federal Council.
“Dr Yuxin Huo demonstrates the methodology of analysis for microplastics as applied to agricultural soils with comparison to waste biosolids, composts and kerbside green waste collections.
The analysis used microplastic : Finder Software to quantify a range of micro sizes. This method is applicable also to analysis for organic fibres. The thesis is presented with a very comprehensive and detailed technical approach. Excellent adoption of the literature. Experimental measurements using C mineralisation of microplastics in soils demonstrate the importance of material types and the microbial response, as quantitative outcomes. The thesis contains a significant review for plastics contamination globally in the to assess soil biota response.
Other contributions in this thesis are use of a meta-analysis review explaining the effects of plastics on soil biota. The investigation of CO2-C mineralisation and polyethylene (PE) a common plastic mostly used for packaging – testing four different microplastics including conventional, oxo-degradable, and biodegradable in δ13C technique.
The other laboratory experiment was the effect of temperature and soil properties on the CO2-C mineralisation of a biodegradable mulch plastic film. The measurements were applied to a field scale study comparing sewage sludge, compost and plastic mulch film.
Overall, an impressive body of work formatted into book chapters.”
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023 | R. Orr |
| 2022 | C. Krohn |
| 2021 | C. Janke |
| 2020 | Q. Xu |
| 2019 | M. Cheng & H. Mikkonen |
| 2018 | A. Dang |
| 2017 | N. Robinson |
| 2016 | N. Creeper |
| 2015 | B. Ryan |
| 2014 | A. Marchuk |
| 2013 | B. Malone |
| 2012 | R. Setia |
| 2011 | U. Stockmann |
| 2010 | C. Scanlan |
| 2009 | C. Butterly |
| 2008 | G. Kew |
| 2007 | S. Grover |
| 2006 | M. Tighe |
| 2005 | P. Kopittke |
| 2004 | S.C. Boucher |
| 2003 | J.E. White |
was born and educated in Tasmania, completing a degree in science at the University of Tasmania. CG Stephens played a distinguished role in the establishment and health state of soil survey, classification and pedology in Australia. His participation in many surveys in all states means that he played a significant part in the development of regional Australia. C.G. Stephens was the first recipient of the J.A. Prescott Medal in 1972.
Soil Science Australia is the national soil science body and a not-for-profit professional incorporated association for soil scientists and people interested in the responsible management of Australia’s soil resources.
Become a Member.
Soil Science Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future.
