Simon Jeffery

Professor Simon Jeffery leads soil ecology research at Harper Adams University's Agriculture and Environment department, focusing on sustainable soil management through biochar applications, soil biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem functioning in agricultural systems.

Research Focus

His investigations span biochar impacts on soil hydrology, carbon sequestration, and microbial communities; soil fauna responses to land management; and development of AI-driven tools for optimizing soil health and fertilization strategies. Recent projects include combatting desertification through engineered soils and evaluating nematode communities as soil health indicators.

Global Contributions

Professor Jeffery collaborates internationally on meta-analyses of biochar effects, peatland carbon mapping, and climate-adaptive wheat cultivation. He advocates for evidence-based soil policy through the Centre for Evidence-Based Agriculture and contributes to global soil biodiversity initiatives.