Rod R.a. Mena Fluhmann

Biography

Rodrigo (Rod) Mena is a socio-environmental researcher at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. His current research project focuses on disaster response and humanitarian aid in complex and high-intensity conflict-affected scenarios. At the moment he is based in Afghanistan conducting fieldwork research. Previously he has conducted research in Africa, Latin and Central America, Europe, and Asia; including countries like South Sudan, Chile, Uganda, Costa Rica, Sierra Leon, or Perú, to name a few. He has more than ten years of experience in project and research management, including the development of both quantitative and qualitative research from scratch. His experience encompasses work for NGOs, in universities as an academic, social projects, governmental institutions, Ministries, and international organisations, including United Nations. His latest researches have been related to resilience and vulnerability to socio-natural disasters and conflicts; climate change, peak oil and transition strategies; urban agriculture and food security; and applied fieldwork research. At the academic level, he has taught at universities and published articles and book chapters. In terms of applied research, Rod has experience and training in the development of fieldwork in hostile, complex and remote areas, being enabled with certifications from United Nations, Red Cross (IFRC), RedR Emergency Response, and the Centre for Safety and Development. He has led humanitarian aid groups and conducted research after the occurrence of several natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, floods, storms and droughts. He holds degrees in Sociology (Magna Cum Laude), Political and Social Science (Cum Laude), a Master of Environments from the University of Melbourne (H1, Magna Cum Laude) and diplomas in methodology and socioenvironmental topics, including Quantitative Multivariable Analysis, Environmental Impact Assessment, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development. Rodrigo (Rod) Mena is a socio-environmental researcher at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. His current research project focuses on disaster response and humanitarian aid in complex and high-intensity conflict-affected scenarios. At the moment he is based in Afghanistan conducting fieldwork research. Previously he has conducted research in Africa, Latin and Central America, Europe, and Asia; including countries like South Sudan, Chile, Uganda, Costa Rica, Sierra Leon, or Perú, to name a few. He has more than ten years of experience in project and research management, including the development of both quantitative and qualitative research from scratch. His experience encompasses work for NGOs, in universities as an academic, social projects, governmental institutions, Ministries, and international organisations, including United Nations. His latest researches have been related to resilience and vulnerability to socio-natural disasters and conflicts; climate change, peak oil and transition strategies; urban agriculture and food security; and applied fieldwork research. At the academic level, he has taught at universities and published articles and book chapters. In terms of applied research, Rod has experience and training in the development of fieldwork in hostile, complex and remote areas, being enabled with certifications from United Nations, Red Cross (IFRC), RedR Emergency Response, and the Centre for Safety and Development. He has led humanitarian aid groups and conducted research after the occurrence of several natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, floods, storms and droughts. He holds degrees in Sociology (Magna Cum Laude), Political and Social Science (Cum Laude), a Master of Environments from the University of Melbourne (H1, Magna Cum Laude) and diplomas in methodology and socioenvironmental topics, including Quantitative Multivariable Analysis, Environmental Impact Assessment, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development.

Research Interest

Social Studies