Welcome to the November issue of the AGS Magazine. The clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in and the weather has been miserable. Please make sure you take care on site and drive safely.

In this edition we have the pleasure of announcing the winner and runners up of the fourth AGS photography competition. Thank you to everyone who entered.

There are a variety of topics explored in this edition: The Instrumentation and Monitoring Working Group begin to explore the possible sustainability benefits and barriers to using instrumentation and monitoring on site; we are provided with some insights into the geotechnical implications of pyrite and its consideration and management and the Business Practice Working Group take a look at unconscious bias in recruitment and how to reduce it.

Also in this edition: Dave Woods takes us on a look inside Huesker, a manufacturer and designer of geosynthetics.

Finally, I look forward to meeting some of you at our Ground Risk Conference on 22^nd November which is being convened by the Geotechnical and Contaminated Land Working Groups. This is an in-person event with a range of talks and networking opportunities. Don’t leave it too late to book tickets – registration closes on Friday 10^th November.