Based on his own personal experience as a practitioner, Rodney has acquired an appreciation for the value of disaster risk reduction in vulnerable communities. This has significantly influenced his research agenda which focusses on transdisciplinary research in reducing the disaster risk to the most vulnerable who often live in the rapidly growing informal settlements around the world.

Rodney has worked in both academic and professional practice and has made several contributions to peer reviewed journals, book chapters and training programs throughout his career. Rodney co-founded and served as the National Director of the Burn Foundation of Southern Africa, a voluntary non-profit organisation, focussed on the prevention of childhood burns and provision of burn survivor rehabilitation programs. Rodney holds a doctorate degree in Fire and Emergency Management from Oklahoma State University in the United States, a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and Social Services with specialisation in Community and Health Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.