Exploring Soils: a hidden world underground

Research Background: 'Exploring Soils' draws upon my two decades of expertise as a Soil Scientist and interprets this scientific content in the context of my more recent role as a parent. Inspired by the United Nations 2015 International Year of Soil, I authored 'Exploring Soils' and worked with illustrator Camille Heisler and CSIRO Publishing to produce the 3rd in their expanding series of scientific works for a younger audience. Research Contribution: 'Exploring Soils' takes the fundamental concepts of soil science and communicates them in narrative form, through the experiences of a young child. Complex concepts are described in plain English and the illustrations draw readers young and old in to the mysteries occurring beneath our feet. With over 4000 copies sold and libraries across Australia lending this book out every week, the contribution that this work has made could be considered to surpass that of traditional research outputs. Research Significance: This work has been recognised as a "Notable Book" by the Children's Book Council of Australia under the Eve Pownall Award for junior non-fiction 2018 and short listed for The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature 2018. The book featured in workshops and pannel discussions at the Bendigo Writers Festival 2018. In 2019 'Exploring Soils' was recommended reading to all NSW school children, listed on the NSW Premiers' Reading Challenge Reading List. I continue to work with CSIRO Publishing to promote the book and would welcome any opportunities to do so within RMIT events.