Jane Rickson is Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation at Cranfield University. She has over 30 years’ experience of research, consultancy and teaching in soil and water engineering, specialising in soil degradation processes and sustainable land management. Her work has focused on better understanding of how soils deliver vital ecosystems goods and services, including agricultural production, water regulation and carbon storage.

Jane was part of the Cranfield team that won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2017 for research and education in large-scale soil and environmental data for the sustainable use of natural resources in the UK and worldwide. Her work includes research for Government, Research Councils, AHDB, the Environment Agency and private sector clients. She teaches on postgraduate courses in Land Reclamation and Restoration, Environmental Engineering and Soil Management.

Professor Rickson was the first female President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers in its 80-year history. In 2019, Jane won the Women Leaders MK awards for both ‘Outstanding Achievement’ and for ‘Engineering, Science and Maths’.

Jane is a Chartered Environmentalist, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists.