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 -
Mrs Emily Taylor
AWEI Communications Officer -
Dr Francis Vorhies
AWEI Director -
Klarine Schutte
Postgraduate Fellow
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
Fellows
AWEI Fellows are academics and professionals who contribute to the Institute's programmes of impactful research, stakeholder engagement, and capacity development.
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) -
Mr Fundisile Mketeni
Advisory Fellow (2019-2020) -
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)
Get updates by email
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.
Sign up for a quarterly dose of AWEI insights
In a complex and changing world, AWEI generates strategic ideas, conducts independent analysis on wildlife economies, and collaborates with global scholar-practitioners to provide training and expertise for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and inclusive economic opportunities in Africa.