Serge Leroueil is an Emeritus Professor at the Civil Engineering Department of Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada and an expert on landslide mechanisms. His research interests include soil behaviour, soil viscosity, soil compaction, in‑situ testing, embankments on soft clays, and cuts and natural slopes. Serge gave the Rankine Lecture upon the invitation of the British Geotechnical Society on the theme of landslides and is Fellow of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada; he has moreover received several prestigious awards like the Legget Medal and the Canadian Senate Medal.Luciano Picarelli is a former professor at the Civil Engineering Department of the Seconda Universita di Napoli where he was Director of the Research Center in Environmental Engineering. For 12 years, Luciano chaired the Joint Technical Committee (JTC1) on Landslides set up by the Federation of International Geo‑engineering Societies (FedIGS). Luciano’s research focuses on the mechanics of structurally complex formations, geotechnical issues in road construction, and slope stability and landslide risk mitigation. Throughout his academic life, Luciano has given numerous lectures all over the world, including the Suklje and the Croce Lectures. Finally, he received the Varnes medal bestowed by the International Consortium on Landslides.