Plenary Speakers
ASSW 2025 Plenary Speakers
Professor Peter Smith
University of Aberdeen
Tom Goddard (MSc)
Advisor for industry, government & international agencies.
Dr. Anne Naeth
University of Alberta
Dr. David Lobb
University of Manitoba
Below please find additional information about the speakers and their presentations. Including speaker's bios, talk titles and abstracts.
Professor Pete Smith
University of Aberdeen
Bio: Pete Smith is Professor of Soils and Global Change at the Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK) and Science Director of the Scottish Climate Change Centre of Expertise (ClimateXChange). His interests include climate change mitigation, soils, agriculture, food systems, ecosystem services modelling and nature-based solutions. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a Fellow of the Institute of Soil Scientists, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, a Fellow of the European Science Academy, and a Fellow of the Royal Society (London).
Talk Title: Healthy soils contribute to all of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Virtual presentation).
Abstract: Soils contribute positively to all ecosystem services, and using previously published relationships between ecosystem services and delivery on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we can infer contributions of soils to the SDGs. We show that in addition to contributing positively to the delivery of all ecosystem services, soils also have a role in underpinning all SDGs.
While highlighting the great potential of soils to contribute to sustainable development, it is recognized that poorly managed, degraded or polluted soils may contribute negatively to the SDGs. The positive contribution, however, cannot be taken for granted, and soils must be managed carefully to keep them healthy and capable of playing this vital role. A priority for soil management must include: (i) for healthy soils in natural ecosystems, protect them from conversion and degradation; (ii) for managed soils, manage in a way to protect and enhance soil biodiversity, health and sustainability and to prevent degradation; and (iii) for degraded soils, restore to full soil health. We have enough knowledge now to move forward with the implementation of best management practices to maintain and improve soil health. This analysis shows that this is not just desirable, it is essential if we are to meet the SDG targets by 2030 and achieve sustainable development more broadly in the decades to come.
Tom Goddard (MSc)
Advisor for industry, government & international agencies.
Bio: Tom’s positions with the agriculture and forestry ministry in the Alberta government included extension agent, soil conservation specialist, manager and senior policy advisor. His consulting career has spanned agriculture development and policy as well as soils topics in agriculture, forestry and reclamation, at local locations and across other continents. His background and training across a range of agriculture, industry and government environments has enabled him to translate across disciplines and provide pragmatic solutions to current and strategic issues. Technically his soils research has focused on landscapes and scales beyond test tubes and small plots using technology, models and expert knowledge. Recently he edited a policy sourcebook for integrated policy for UN-FAO as well as served as a thematic co-chair at a global conference on sustainable agriculture mechanization (FAO). He and Elizabeth live in Edmonton where they raised three children and now enjoy three grandchildren.
Talk Title: Opportunities for soil scientists to enable the Sustainable Development Goals.