The Soil CRC is pleased to announce that Dr Nathan Robinson from Federation University will step into the role of Program 2 Leader, following the departure of his predecessor Dr Richard Doyle earlier this year.
No stranger to the Soil CRC, Nathan has led 3 Program 2 projects focused on improving soil data management and identifying key soil performance indicators.
“I’m excited to join the Soil CRC program leadership team to continue to deliver practical and enduring solutions for Australia’s land managers and their underperforming soils,” he enthused.
Nathan is a Senior Research Fellow in Soil Science at Federation University, where he completed his PhD in digital soil mapping in 2016.
“I’ve been working in agriculture and environmental sciences for 25 years now, firstly in the government sector and more recently in higher education and research,” Nathan said.
“My research interests include soil and landscape analysis and assessment, and I’m currently focused on the advancement of spatial analysis to better understand the links of soil to agricultural production systems.”
Nathan is also supervising 8 postgraduate students—including 2 Soil CRC PhD candidates—with topics focused on soils, agriculture and data management.
“I am extremely passionate about the next generation of soil stewards, researchers and practitioners being supported by the Soil CRC,” Nathan said. “I’m committed to assisting them in their research data management decisions, which can help to furnace their future careers.”
In addition to Nathan’s professional experience, he also manages his family’s farming partnership, Linwood Grange Enterprises, which includes livestock and grain production systems.
“We have extensively soil tested over the last decade to develop focused soil management strategies to improve soil performance and environmental credentials,” Nathan said.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be able to apply the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career to improve our soils at Linwood Grange and to experience the benefits firsthand.”
Nathan has also served in advisory roles to catchment management authorities and is an active member of the Australian Digital Soil Assessment Working Group, Geomorphology Reference Group of Victoria, Soil Science Australia, and the Royal Society of Victoria.
Soil CRC CEO Dr Michael Crawford said he is delighted to welcome Nathan to the Soil CRC leadership team.
“Dr Robinson’s passion for and expertise in soil science, along with his previous leadership and farm management experience, puts him in good stead to successfully lead Program 2 of the Soil CRC through to its conclusion in 2027,” he said.
“I am confident that Dr Robinson will make a significant contribution to Program 2 and the program leadership team, and I look forward to supporting him in his new role.”