Winner of the British Ecological Society’s 2026 Marsh Book of the Year

The British Ecological Society’s Marsh Ecology Book of the Year is awarded to the book that has had, or is expected to have, the greatest influence on the science of ecology in any two-year period. My book, The World Beneath Our Feet, is the 21st winner of the BES Marsh Ecology Book of the Year.

Hefin Jones, a BES Marsh Ecology Book of the Year judge said: ‘Frank Ashwood’s The World Beneath Our Feet is an engaging and accessible exploration of soil biodiversity and its importance to ecosystems and human society. Its major strength is in Ashwood’s ability to communicate complex ecological processes through vivid descriptions of the largely unseen organisms that sustain soils.’

Ken Thompson, another BES Marsh Ecology Book of the Year judge, said: ‘There are jaw-dropping facts on every page and throughout the book, Ashwood’s narrative is greatly enlivened by his personal encounters with soil life. These adventures lend his text an immediacy and excitement that makes for an entertaining read.’

iNaturalist Observation of the Week

My photograph of a New Zealand giant springtail (Holacanthella paucispinosa) taken during a bioblitz-style event at University of Canterbury’s Cass Mountain Research Station was selected by iNaturalist as their global observation of the week!

RES Photography Competition 2023

This photograph of a pair of silverfish picked up 'Specially Commended' in the Royal Entomological Society’s 2023 Photography Competition. I took this photo in Western Australia last year, when I had the amazing experience of doing macrophotography at several farms across Australia for @soilsforlife.

Below are summaries of a few of my recent macrophotography exhibitions and awards - if you have an opportunity you’d like to discuss please feel free to contact me.

Macrophotography Exhibitions

Soils for Life’s Soil Stewardship Summit

In 2023, I embarked on an epic macrophotography tour across Australia, sponsored by Soils for Life. I photographed soil biodiversity at several farms practising regenerative agricultural techniques. The resulting images were printed to exceptional quality and exhibited throughout the duration of a two-day summit, held at Cavan Station, Yass, Australia.

Global Soil Biodiversity Symposium 2023

My images were displayed alongside the macrophotography of Andy Murray, and the soil illustrations of Ed Reynolds at the Global Soil Biodiversity Symposium 2023 at University College Dublin, Ireland.

‘Below Ground…’ Exhibition

My macrophotography was displayed alongside a range of wonderful soil artworks in the ‘Below Ground: Soil life in a changing climate’ exhibition by Teagasc at Johnstown Castle in Wexford, Ireland.