People | African Wildlife Economy Institute

Team

The AWEI Core Team manages the work of the Institute. Most Team members also have AWEI commitments such as postgraduate studies or postdoc research.

Ms Lydia Daring Bhebe

AWEI Programmes Assistant
Dr Hayley Clements

AWEI Senior Researcher
Mr Thapelo Brilliant Lebopa

AWEI Programmes Assistant
Mr Filbert Minja

AWEI Communications Intern
Ms Ashley Nolwazi Mpofu

AWEI Research Intern
Mr Crespen Ndlovu

AWEI Development Officer
Dr Wiseman Ndlovu

AWEI Postdoctoral Fellow
Klarine Schutte

Postgraduate Fellow
Ms Emily Taylor

AWEI Communications Officer
Dr Francis Vorhies

AWEI Director

AWEI Community

The AWEI Community includes thought leaders, researchers, trainers, subject matter experts, policy advisors, postgrads, interns, and others who are actively supporting our programmes of work. If you would like to join our Community, please email us.

Ms Francine Barchett

Postgraduate Fellow
Dr Matthew Child

Research Fellow
Dr Richard Fergusson

Standards & Certification Expert
Mr Joseph Goergen

Public Affairs Advisor
Mr Steven Johnson

Conservation Leadership Expert
Dr Biandri Joubert

Research Fellow
Mr Ali Kaka

Senior Advisor - East Africa
Dr Tariro Kamuti

Research Fellow
Prof Urs Kreuter

Senior Fellow
Ms Roseline Mandisodza-Chikerema

Senior Advisor - Southern Africa
Mr William Marandu

Researcher
Prof Joseph Mbaiwa

Research Fellow
Dr Victor Muposhi

Research Fellow
Dr Michael Musgrave

Research Fellow
Mr Reinhard Bonke Nyandire

Senior Advisor - Kenya
Dr Taddeo Rusoke

Senior Fellow
Ms Catherine E. Semcer

Postgraduate Fellow
Ms Basilia Andoroone Shivute

Senior Advisor - Namibia
Mr Michael 't Sas-Rolfes

Research Fellow
Dr Thabang Rainett Teffo

Responsible Use Expert
Dr Keith G. Tidball

Senior Fellow
Ms Deborah Vorhies

Senior Advisor - Operations
Ms Sarah Whitehead

Postgraduate Fellow
Dr Jane Wiltshire

Research Fellow
Ms Beverley Wynne

Wildlife Business Advisor

Advisory Board

The AWEI Advisory Board provides strategic guidance to the Institute as an academic think tank at Stellenbosch University.

The AWEI Director, Prof Francis Vorhies, is an ex officio member of the Board.

Prof Kennedy Dzama

Advisory Board Chair
Prof Danie Brink

Advisory Board Member
Prof Brian Child

Advisory Board Member
Prof Louw Hoffman

Advisory Board Member
Prof Alison Leslie

Advisory Board Member
Dr Cyrie Sendashonga

Advisory Board Member

AWEI Alumni

AWEI Alumni have previously been engaged in Institute activities.

Mr Abdulai Barrie

AWEI Intern (2022)
Dr Julia Baum

Programmes Manager & Partnerships Advisor (2021-2023)
Mr Xolani Nicholus Funda

Senior Advisor (2019-2022)
Ms Carla Glen

Communications Manager (2022-2024)
Ms Elizabeth Gitari-Mitaru

Research Fellow (2020-2022)
Ms Sungeni Ruth Karonga

Intern (2023)
Ms Mara Glas

Intern (2022)
Ms Caitlin Graaf

Research Fellow (2018-2020)
Dr Tuqa Jirmo

Senior Advisor (2020-2022)
Prof Andrea Lane

Training Fellow (2021-2023)
Ms Hollie M'gog

Teaching Fellow (2021-2023)
Prof Elizabeth Pienaar

Research Fellow (2019-2021)
Ms Aro Ny Aina Ratolojanahary

Intern (2023)
Ms Mame Diarra Sarr

Intern (2022)
Ms Savanna Strauss

Junior Operational Officer (2022-2023)
Mr Hennie de Villiers

Senior Advisor (2020-2022)
Dr Jako Volschenk

Advisory Board Member (2018-2023)

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Through impactful research, stakeholder engagement, and professional development, AWEI is supporting the wildlife economy across Africa. Please subscribe for occasional updates on our work and forthcoming events.