We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Jack Hannam as the new Head of the Agriculture, Health and Environment Department (AHED) at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI).
Professor Hannam is an internationally recognised expert in soil health, soil data, land use decisions, and regenerative agriculture. Her research delivers groundbreaking insights into soil systems, directly influencing national policies and supporting land managers to improve soil health. She is deeply engaged at the science-policy interface, championing a collaborative approach to policy design and delivery that is co-created with key stakeholders and underpinned by rigorous scientific evidence.
Professor Hannam joins NRI from Cranfield University, where she led the Soil Informatics and LandIS (Land Information System) team, advancing the research and development of the national soil data for England and Wales. In her role as President of the British Society of Soil Science (2023–24), she spearheaded global advocacy on soil health at several UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs), achieving record growth in membership and satisfaction rates. Her expertise is widely recognised, having served in several national advisory roles, and she is currently a member of Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee.
Commenting on her appointment, Professor Hannam said:
“I am delighted to be joining a world-leading team at NRI. I’m excited to be leading the innovative and transdisciplinary Agriculture, Health and Environment Department to deliver evidence-based solutions for sustainable agri-food systems that have significant global impact. AHED’s innovations in sustainable agriculture are a key enabler for the systems change needed to tackle the global challenges of food security, climate change and biodiversity loss.”
We look forward to the leadership and vision that Professor Hannam will bring to AHED, as she builds on our mission to deliver sustainable, science-driven solutions for the future of agriculture and the environment.