Professor Hood is an outstanding researcher and a recognised world authority in the fields of rock cutting and high pressure water jet erosion. He has built this reputation in a career working in South Africa, the United States, and Australia.

He is an exceptional research leader. He has built and effectively managed an industry-driven, entrepreneurial research unit in his CRC. This unit has developed a range of technologies that are now used by industry. Four of the major technologies are being commercialised through different CMTE spin-off companies.