Jane Rickson

Professor Jane Rickson is a leading academic at Cranfield University's Centre for Soil, Agrifood and Biosciences. She holds the title of Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation and has over 30 years of expertise in soil and water engineering, focusing on sustainable land management, soil functions, and ecosystem services. Her work integrates multidisciplinary approaches to address environmental challenges at various scales.

• Education: BSc (Hons) in Geography (King's College, London), MSc in Agricultural Engineering (Silsoe College), PhD in Geotextiles for Soil Erosion Control (Cranfield University)
• Key Roles: Former President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (2018–2020), Chartered Environmentalist, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Her research spans soil erosion control, soil degradation, and policy development, with notable projects including the Soil Management Information System (AHDB) and the National-scale geodata study on soil erosion. She actively contributes to international collaborations, including work with the UN, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Committee on Climate Change.

Recent publications emphasize soil health metrics, biostimulant impacts, and climate-resilient agricultural systems. Notable awards include the Queen's Anniversary Prize 2017 for advancing soil data science.