ProfessorGeoff Rodgers

Professor Geoff Rodgers is a mechanical engineer specialising in applied mechanic design, dynamic system modelling, instrumentation, and control, with applications spanning earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and biomedical engineering. While these areas of application may appear diverse, they are unified by the same underlying mechanics and analytical skill set, enabling Geoff to translate core expertise across disciplines.

His work in structural damping devices, energy‑dissipation systems, and nonlinear dynamic behaviour has progressed from fundamental concept development through modelling, experimental validation, and full‑scale deployment. These technologies have been adopted within the Christchurch rebuild, including in the Tūranga central library, where they contribute to enhanced seismic resilience and controlled structural response. Internationally, his devices have been implemented in the Casa Adelante building in San Francisco, supporting improved building resilience and performance‑based seismic design in high-hazard urban environments.

Geoff has led major programmes in seismic damper design and implementation, structural health monitoring, including assessment of building performance throughout the Canterbury earthquake sequence, supported by collaborations with UCLA, Texas A&M, and Duke University. He also works closely with the International Joint Research Laboratory for Earthquake Engineering at Tongji University in Shanghai, undertaking three large‑scale shake‑table experiments in reinforced concrete and steel construction using international testing facilities beyond the scale of those available in New Zealand.  His ongoing research involves many collaborative projects including with the University of British Columbia the University of Northern British Columbia in Canada, Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, and Tongji University in China.

In bioengineering, Geoff’s research aims to improve the quality of life for joint‑replacement patients through advanced measurement and modelling techniques. His work includes dynamic measurement, signal processing, nonlinear modelling, video motion tracking, gait analysis, and biomechanics. Projects span acoustic monitoring of total hip replacement implants, lung mechanics, and computational optimisation of orthopaedic implant design.

Geoff’s research also extends to the development of scientific data collection equipment for use in Antarctic field conditions, supporting the collection of ice samples and field observations that support the field of ice dynamics and flow modelling. Work from previous projects has undergone field testing during Antarctic field seasons.

He has served as a Management Committee Member (2018-2025) and as President of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (2022-2024), and maintains active links with the structural engineering profession. His research has received numerous awards and has been widely featured in international and national media, including the BBC, German television, Radio New Zealand, Australasian Science Magazine, and The Press.