Rob Simmons

Dr Rob Simmons is an applied soil scientist with >25 years’ experience of sustainable soil management founded on a robust understanding of the associated processes. Robs current research activities focus on applied solutions to control runoff and erosion across a range of horticultural crops and polymer-based options to promote seeding emergence and stand establishment in baby leaf and field grown herbs. This includes extensive laboratory- and field-based experimental work in collaboration with multiple UK agri-business partners on the efficacy of a range of applied best management options to manage soils sustainably. These include tramline and wheeling management, companion crops, grassed waterways, in-field buffer strips, mulches, filtersocks and geotextiles. Rob has an extensive research portfolio and has been PI or CoI on >20 BBSRC, NERC, Innovate UK, Environment Agency, WRAP and AHDB funded projects.

Prior to coming to Cranfield University, Rob spent 10 years in Southeast and South Asia with 7 years at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Rob’s research overseas included modelling the off-site impacts of Cd-contaminated sediments on paddy systems and impacts on human health, phytoremediation of Cd, and assessment and mitigation of diffuse pollution.