New Zealand Society of Soil Science - Norman Taylor Memorial Lecture Award
The 2025 recipient of the Norman Taylor Memorial Lecture Award is Dr Steve Wakelin, a soil microbiologist specialising in how below-ground microbial communities shape ecosystem function, soil and plant productivity, and resilience. His research combines molecular tools, ecological modelling, and field studies to understand how soil microbes respond to land use, climate, and management practices.
After completing a PhD on soil-borne diseases, Steve spent 10 years with CSIRO Land and Water (affectionately known as “Club Mud”) in Australia before returning to work across forests, agriculture, and restoration systems in Aotearoa.
His interests centre on nutrient cycling, deep soil systems and soil carbon, and plant–microbe interactions. Steve has contributed to numerous national and international projects aimed at improving the sustainability of land management through better use of microbial ecology and has published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers. He works for the newly formed Bioeconomy Science Institute and is based in Christchurch.
Lectures by Steve Wakelin will be held at the following locations:
- Lincoln University (jointly with the Lincoln University Soils Society (LUSS)) at 1.00pm to 3.00pm on 17 December 2025, S-Block (S1). Lincoln University Soil Society will initially host a mini forum with presentations from soils students (1:00-2:00 pm – all welcome), with the Norman Taylor lecture commencing at 2.00 pm. Followed by refreshments and cutting of the World Soil Day cake. Please RSVP to Brendon.Malcolm@plantandfood.co.nz
- Massey University (jointly with the 2026 FLRC Conference) at 7.00pm on 2 February 2026, AH Lecture Block, followed by refreshments. Please RSVP to C.W.N.Anderson@massey.ac.nz