Dr. Odera earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and is currently a professor at Minerva Schools. He has founded and led five organizations focusing on socioeconomic development, political development, and food security innovations in Kenya. He has also created and led two field schools on community development in Kenya. His work deals with issues of political development, citizen-politician linkages, microfinance institutions, the informal economy in Africa, and community development. He has researched, written, and taught extensively on these topics.