John Hudson obtained his first degree from the Heriot-Watt University, UK and his PhD at the University of Minnesota, USA. He has spent his professional career in engineering rock mechanics - as it applies to civil, mining and environmental engineering - in consulting, research, teaching and publishing and has been awarded the DSc degree for his contributions to the subject. In addition to authoring many scientific papers, he edited the 1993 five volume "Comprehensive Rock Engineering" compendium, and currently edits the International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. From 1983 to the present, Professor Hudson has been affiliated with Imperial College as Reader and Professor. He is also a Principal of Rock Engineering Consultants, actively engaged in applying engineering rock mechanics principles and techniques to relevant engineering practice worldwide. In 1998, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK.