Dr Jacqueline Hannam appointed British Society of Soil Science President-Elect

Cranfield University’s Dr Jacqueline Hannam has been appointed President-Elect of the British Society of Soil Science. Dr Hannam was elected at the society’s virtual Annual General Meeting and will take up her position as President-Elect on 1 January 2021.

Dr Hannam specialises in soil data, digital soil mapping and soil health. At Cranfield University, Dr Hannam leads the LandIS ‘Land Information System’ team who are responsible for the national soil data for England and Wales. LandIS was a key component of the award of the 2017 Queen’s Anniversary Prize which the university won for its work on soil science.

Dr Hannam, Senior Research Fellow in Pedology at Cranfield University and President-Elect of the British Society of Soil Science, said: “I’m deeply honoured to be elected by the members of the British Society of Soil Science to serve as President. 

“ Soil is getting more attention in the media and this is an exciting time for the society and for soil science with both the World Congress of Soil Science and COP26 scheduled to be held in Glasgow in 2021. As the world looks to the UK, I’m determined that the importance of the world’s soils and the role they play in mitigating the effects of climate change and feeding the planet is recognised and acted upon.”

Professor Leon A. Terry, Director of Environment and Agrifood at Cranfield University, said: “All of us at Cranfield are so proud of Jack being elected to this role. She is a true champion of soil science and is a great ambassador for the work we do at Cranfield, whether that is in front of audiences of schoolchildren or Government Ministers.

“At Cranfield, she has shown the role technology can play in enabling more informed decision-making and ultimately better outcomes for soils all over the world.”