BRIDGING THE GAP TO REIMAGINE SOIL HEALTH EDUCATION

The Policy Brief emerges from an evidence base gathered through rigorous collaborative investigation methodologies developed for the LOESS Project. 

 

This evidence foundation includes comprehensive information collected with support from Communities of Practice (CoPs) established in 15 European countries, representing knowledge-sharing networks that unite soil scientists, education professionals, policymakers, and community representatives in ongoing collaborative dialogue. 

 

The methodological approach employed an extensive mixed-methods investigation, including large-scale online surveys of European educators spanning primary, secondary, tertiary, and vocational education levels to assess current soil-related knowledge, teaching confidence, and instructional methods. This quantitative foundation was complemented by in-depth qualitative research through interviews and focus groups with educational practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders across diverse European contexts, and an extensive examination of existing training and education offers through desk research. 

 

The collaborative analysis process ensured that the findings were systematically shared and co-analysed with CoP members, guaranteeing that the Policy Brief reflects both rigorous 9 research evidence and practical insights from educational practitioners working within real world constraints across Europe. This participatory approach to evidence synthesis represents a methodological feature that strengthens both the scientific validity and the practical relevance of policy recommendations.