our team
executive and professional staff, soil scientists
Frances Hoyle
Director SoilsWest
Associate Professor
My role
I am currently the Director of SoilsWest at Murdoch University. My role helps to facilitate and build strong partnerships in soil science on interdisciplinary and cross-institutional programs of research, development and engagement between Murdoch University and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) – with a focus on collaboration across the university sector, CSIRO, growers and industry.
The alliance recognises key partners and links others. Delivering information and research to growers to improve soil function in turn promotes greater efficiencies, increased production and increased resilience within agricultural systems. My own research interests are in soil, specifically environmental and management factors driving changes in soil carbon and function in agriculture.
My background
I am passionate about agriculture, soil and communication.
I started my career at DPIRD as a research agronomist working on wheat, transitioning to cover crops and organic matter management. During this time, I completed an MSc in Agriculture and PhD in Soil Biology, with latter research focused on soil function and biological processes including carbon transformation.
From 2016 I have acted as Director of SoilsWest and in 2019 was Associate Dean for Science in Community and Engagement at UWA in the Faculty of Science.
Since starting at Murdoch in 2021, my focus has been both on building SoilsWest and contributing to the CSIRO Bioplastics Innovation Hub. Currently collaboration, communication and engagement are a very strong focus for my work, with knowledge exchange and research reaching end users to support the sustainable development of agriculture and environmental stewardship. A great example are the Soil Quality ebooks which can be downloaded for free below!
Projects
- Soil Quality – ebook Series on Apple Books
- GRDC Soil and Plant Nutrition Extension (current)
- Commonwealth SWWA Regional Soil Coordinator (current)
- GRDC Polymer Sprays (current)
- Soil Quality Knowledge Base (current)
Key expertise
Soil organic carbon, organic matter, soil function and constraints, agriculture/wheat agronomy, communication and engagement
Qualifications
BSc (Biology)
MSc (Agriculture)
PhD (Soil Biology)