On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, SOILL is launching a new series dedicated to the women shaping the future of soil science.
Through personal stories, reflections, and professional journeys, the series brings forward the voices of those contributing to more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking scientific communities.
Today, we are sitting down with Eleonora Bonifacio, Full Professor of Soil Science at the University of Turin, pedologist, and President of the Italian Society of Pedology. In this conversation, she shares what first inspired her path into soil science, reflects on the milestones and challenges she has encountered along the way, and offers advice to young women considering a future in environmental research.
Can you tell us about your current role and what first inspired you to work in soil science?
I am currently a full professor in Soil Science at the University of Torino, where I have been working for the past 30 years. I was lucky enough to meet a fascinating professor during my university studies, Prof. Enza Arduino.
She was one of the few women in top positions at that time, and she had an amazing way of teaching: she always started by showing real soil data to students and helped them understand the mechanisms governing soil properties by stimulating discussion. I asked her to be my PhD supervisor and began working on soil clay mineralogy, a fascinating topic that, unfortunately, is not taken into account enough when assessing soil health at present.
What is one research question or project you are most passionate about right now, and why is it important for soils (and society)?
Because of my background as a pedologist, I believe that any research question must consider soil's natural variability. Soil health is not an abstract concept, and when proposing solutions to improve it, we always have to take into account that not all soils have the same capacity to provide ecosystem services. The LivingSoiLL project makes it possible to test and identify tailored solutions in specific areas; however, scaling up the best solutions to other situations is challenging and can be achieved only if soil's natural variability is taken into account.
I believe that the motto "the best solution for the appropriate soil" is the simplest way to convey this message to soil science and society. The goal of all soil scientists is to help people understand that soil is a finite resource that must be preserved, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
What has been one challenge and one rewarding moment you've experienced as a woman working in soil science or research?
One challenge was convincing older professors that a woman could be a pedologist. A pedologist is not a soil chemist; a pedologist works in the field, digs soil profiles, and assesses soil morphology and variability. I remember one old professor saying to another, thinking I could not hear him: "Yes, she"s brilliant, but can she dig a soil profile?".
Luckily, most of my colleagues were not as short-minded as he was, and now women pedologists are the rule. By the way, yes. I can dig a soil profile.
There have been several rewarding moments in my career. I was the first woman pedologist in Italy to obtain a permanent university position, first as a researcher, then as an associate professor, and finally as a full professor. I am now the President of the Italian Society of Pedology (again, the first woman). My research in soil science is appreciated, and as chair of the editors-in-chief of an important soil science journal, I have the opportunity to do my best to support high-quality science.
What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in soil science or environmental research?
I think the main advice would be: believe in yourself, but work in a group and help build it. And a second piece of advice: aim to do something you will still enjoy after 30 years.