Coen J. Ritsema

Dr. Coen Ritsema serves as Professor and Chair of the Soil Physics and Land Management group at Wageningen University & Research, bringing over three decades of expertise in soil and water sciences. With an impressive ISI Web of Science H-index of 40, he has established himself as a prominent figure in land-hydrology interactions and soil conservation research. His work spans fundamental and applied research, focusing on soil physical and chemical processes, land degradation, and conservation issues across different spatial and temporal scales. He has coordinated numerous EU-funded projects and published approximately 150 research papers in international scientific journals. His academic excellence has been recognized through three honorary professorships at prestigious institutions: Deakin University (2004), Chinese Academy of Sciences (2008), and Moscow State University of Environmental Engineering (2009). As lead coordinator of the MOOC "Sustainable Soil Management: Soil for Life," he guides students through critical aspects of soil conservation and management. His contributions to the field were acknowledged with the Distinguished Researcher Award from the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation in 2013. Beyond academia, he serves on the IPBES scoping group for land degradation and restoration, collaborating with major international organizations like UNEP, UNESCO, FAO, and UNDP. His current research continues to advance our understanding of soil physics, land management, and sustainable agricultural practices, while his leadership in large international multidisciplinary projects demonstrates his commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through collaborative research and education.