Edward R.Rhodes has a BSc in Agriculture from the University of  Sierra Leone and a Ph.D. in Soil Science from Aberdeen University, United Kingdom. He is Professor Emeritus of Soil Science. He has over 30 years of experience in teaching, conducting and supervising research in soil chemistry and fertility at the university level. He was Fulbright-Hays Research Scholar at Colorado State University, USA where he conducted research on chemical equilibria in soils. He sojourned at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Togo and the Food and Agriculture Organization in Malawi and did research and development on soil fertility management on farmers fields. Professor Rhodes was President of the University of Sierra Leone Research Council.

He is a member of the College of Research Associates of the United Nations University  Institute for Natural Resources in Africa. As contribution to regional university work, Professor Rhodes assisted universities in West Africa in assessing academic staff for promotion.  He has over  80 publications/reports including papers in  peer reviewed international journals, book chapters, monographs, papers in research bulletins, extension guides, technical and consultancy reports. His research and development interest has expanded to include climate smart agriculture and he is currently co-editing a book on mapping climate change impact chain for food security in ECOWAS.

In terms of administrative experience, Professor Rhodes was Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal and later ProChancellor of Njala University. He served the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security as Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research Coordinating Council and Chairman of the Council of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute.