Professor Rose has made a major contribution to the establishment of Environmental Research in Australia and, in recent years, in linking Environmental and Engineering studies. He was Foundation Dean and Professor of Australian Environmental Studies at Griffith University in 1973. The linkage with Engineering is increasingly relevant in areas such as waste disposal, as well as soil degradation and erosion.
The Graduate School of Environmental Engineering at Griffith is currently the largest in the world. This broad lead is now being followed by other Australian Universities.
Professor Rose has been widely sought by other countries for his Environmental advice. He has made major contributions in published research, consultancies, invitations to International Conferences and Academic and Professional appointments.