Ryusuke Hatano is an emeritus professor of Hokkaido University. He is a past president of the Japanese Society of Soil Physics (2010–2012), a past president of the Japanese Society of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (2019–2021), a past chair of Commission 4.3 of the International Union of Soil Sciences (2011–2018), and a past chair of Division 2 of the International Union of Soil Sciences (2018–2022). He has published more than 240 peer-reviewed papers. Elizabeth M. Baggs is Dean of Research for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, and Professor of Food and Environmental Security at the University of Edinburgh. She has previously served as a president of the British Society of Soil Science and is a fellow of the Institute of Soil Science. Her expertise covers soil biogeochemistry, plant-soil interactions and environmental change, in managed and natural systems. Specific focus is on soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions to inform appropriate management strategies. She has led numerous international research collaborations, and has held a variety of strategic leadership roles.