Rob focuses on applied research that can be translated into practical solutions, and works hard to build capacity in the system, through training of 55 Masters and PhD students, and running many interactive workshops with practitioners in government and industry. His research includes work on conservation of large mammals, land-use planning for environmental sustainability, and environmental contribution to achieving sustainable development goals.

While his training and early research was in bird behavioural ecology, in 1997 he shifted to large mammal conservation. he continued to work in invertebrate conservation and biogeography, and lately in conservation decision-making. His experience in Health has provided opportunities for transdisciplinary research spanning agriculture, environment, poverty and health – which will be a major thrust going forward. He has focused on developing a relevant research programme, which will have strong impact on society, and which draws emerging researchers into developing cross-sectoral translational research that can influence and impact policy and practice for improvement of human wellbeing.

He leads a number large, transdisciplinary projects, including the Durban Research Action Partnership, with Ethekwini Municipality (DRAP), and the Wellcome funded Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems project (SHEFS). DRAP undertakes co-developed, co-implemented work the enhance sustainable environmental decision-making and development decisions in the face of climate change. SHEFS examines the agriculture, environment, poverty and health nexus, focusing on resource poor communities in the rural, per-urban, and informal urban settings around Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Rob has a long-standing research programme in conservation management, with a focus on elephant, rhino, and large carnivores. He works closely with National Government, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, South African National Parks, Ezemvelo Kwazulu-Natal Wildlife, North West Parks and Tourism Board, and many private landowners, to develop understanding of practical solutions to management challenges for these species. He does action research, studying the consequences of management interventions, including on the wellbeing of these species, to develop management plans that promote achieving objectives, while enhancing the wellbeing and welfare of animals. He translates this understanding into practice through developing management plans for reserves, and facilitating national processes for research and conservation strategies for key species.