The Royal Society in London today announced that Professor Alex McBratney has been elected as a Fellow. It is a fitting accolade for a researcher that has been central to modernising soil science for the digital age.

Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous operation. Its Fellows have included Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.

Professor McBratney is one the most highly cited academics in Australian science, known for his foundational work in soil mapping and pedometrics; the data-driven analysis of soil types that is fundamental for modern agricultural science.

His innovations in precision agriculture and soil security have transformed our understanding and management of soil, enhancing global soil care and land management.

By developing new soil theories and models, Professor McBratney - who is a former director of the Sydney Institute of Agriculture - has revolutionised soil science, improving agricultural efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. His digital approaches and insights into soil variation support sustainable practices and climate change mitigation, making a profound impact on global soil information, agricultural efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, Professor Mark Scott, extended his congratulations on behalf of the University community.

“Professor McBratney is an endlessly curious person who contributes so much to his area of expertise and to overall academic excellence at the University. He is an inspiration to researchers and students in the Faculty of Science and beyond.

“It is testament to his scientific leadership that the Sydney Institute of Agriculture attracts so much talent from across the world, especially from emerging economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He is a tremendous mentor and we are very proud he is part of the University of Sydney community.”

Professor McBratney said: “I am surprised and thrilled by the election. It is an extraordinary honour, and one that I hope reflects not just my own work, but the strength and quality of University of Sydney science and Australian science more broadly.” 

He said that the recognition was particularly meaningful because the vast majority of the research for which he has been acknowledged was undertaken in Australia. 

“About 95 percent of the work for which I have been recognised has been carried out here in Australia,” he said. “That work has also been enriched by long-standing collaborations with outstanding colleagues from around the world.”

Professor McBratney believes his election reflects a broader and very welcome shift in the way soil science is being valued. 

“For a long time, soil has been something people depend on every day without necessarily thinking about it,” he said. “That is changing. There is growing recognition, both within the scientific community and among the wider public, that soil is fundamental to food production, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and ecosystem functioning.”