Bradley Sparkes
Presentation
I am a Doctoral Student in soil science in the Group of Nutrient Cycling, within the Department of Soil and Environment. My work focuses on carbon and nutrient cycling below ground, and how this is impacted by crop diversification strategies. Currently, with a more specific focus on intracropping, functional diversity, root architecture, root exudates, and carbon persistence.
Research
2023-current Intraspecific diversity of cereals - root architecture and quantification of root carbon inputs.
I have been using Rhizoboxes to grow different cereals, to quantify their root architecture and analyse their exudate profiles.
My project is part of the AgroMixNorth project: Climate-smart resilience through diversified cropping systems - Identifying springboards in Nordic and Baltic agriculture led by Prof. Anke Herrmann (2023-2027).
Teaching
Laboratory assistant in Soil Science for Environment and Water Undergraduate level course
Educational credentials
2023-current Ph.D. in Soil Science. SLU Ultuna
2021-2023 M.Sc. Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science. Lund University.
2016-2020 B.Sc. in Physical Geography. Keele University.
Other roles
2025-current Chairperson of the ULS PhD Council.
2024-current PhD representative in the LIA at Soil and Environment
2024-current NJ faculty PhD representative on FUR (Faculty Council for PhD Education).