Jane Rickson is Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation at Cranfield University. She has over 35 years’ experience of research, consultancy and teaching in soil and water engineering in the UK and abroad. Her work investigates the causes and consequences of soil erosion and other forms of land degradation, which annually costs the UK economy over £1.5 billion. She works with farmers, land-based charities and Government to find cost effective, practical solutions for sustainable soil management. She is past President and Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, a Chartered Environmentalist and a member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists.