Prof Leslie Bank is a prominent anthropologist and strategic lead on livelihoods and education in the Equitable, Education, and Economies (EEE) at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). With a wealth of experience and expertise, he has held various positions at renowned South African universities, including the University of Cape Town, the University of the Witwatersrand, and Rhodes University. Prof Bank has also been a Ford Foundation Fellow at Cambridge University, a Senior Harry Oppenheimer Fellow at Oxford, and a Senior Fulbright Research Fellow at Emory University in the USA.

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His research interests span a wide range of topics, including urbanization, migration, identity politics, heritage, human economy, housing policy, rural development, and land reform in Southern Africa. Prof Bank has conducted extensive ethnographic research, exploring the complex relationships between dwelling, belonging, and livelihoods in different contexts. His work sheds light on questions of class, migration, gender, and generational relations, as well as spatial planning, poverty, and inequality in society. Prof Bank has authored numerous books and edited collections, contributing significantly to the field of anthropology. He is actively involved in scholarly organizations such as Anthropology Southern Africa and serves on the executive committee of the International Africa Institute (IAI). Additionally, he holds editorial positions for prestigious journals and the Cambridge University Press series "The International African Library."

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With his expertise and impactful research, Prof Leslie Bank is a leading figure in the field of anthropology and an influential voice in shaping discussions on urban development, heritage, and inclusive urban histories in South Africa.

Kathleen (Kate) is Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she holds the Tier II Canada Research Chair in the Medical Anthropology of Primary Care. An anthropologist by training, Kate's areas of research focus include rural and remote health, gender, human rights, chronic pain, pregnancy and childbirth, and the use of Indigenous methodologies in health research. She has written extensively about ukuthwala (bride abduction) and the social meanings attached to human rights in the rural Eastern Cape.  Her first book, entitled "Rights and Responsibilities in Rural South Africa: Gender, Personhood, and the Crisis of Meaning" will be published by the University of Indiana Press in 2023. 

Deputy Chair: SA Statistics Council at SA Statistics Council Development Planning Specialist: ECSECC ExO Consult & Coach

To play a meaningful, constructive and productive role through my life, and in my sphere of work and society in exponentially understanding and alleviating/ resolving poverty and other developmental challenges, including personal, team and institutional development/ growth. I will therefore: continue to develop appropriate knowledge, skills, abilities and habits to suit private, work and public contexts in the short, medium and long term. Secondly nurture and build people to effectively lead themselves, groups and organisations. Finally he focusses on effectively and efficiently gather, utilize and account for all available work resources (human, financial, etc.) according to the vision and mission of the organization for which he is employed.

Dr. Nelly Sharpley is an engaged social scientist dedicated to societal well-being and social transformation through education and research. With a focus on Medium and Low-Income Populations (MLIPs), she actively collaborates with communities, government entities, NGOs, and civil society organizations to drive inclusive development. Dr. Sharpley possesses a strong background in survey research, employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with expertise in qualitative methods, mixed methods, and ethnography. As a functional scholar committed to social justice, she works towards community progress and development for MLIPs. She co-authored the book "Covid and Customs in Rural South Africa" and has contributed journal articles exploring the intersection of spirituality and health. Dr. Sharpley is an active member of the South African Sociological Association, serving as a reviewer for the SARS journal and Social Dynamics journal. She also serves as an external examiner for several universities in South Africa and is involved in key organizations such as the South African Higher Education Community Engagement Forum (SAHECEF) and the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN). Dr. Sharpley's expertise and contributions have been recognized internationally, including her participation in the international round table on COVID and Africa hosted by Universite de Lome.

Kholekile Hazel Ngqila obtained her Ph.D. from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She is currently working as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department for Social Sciences at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa.

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She is a Project Manager for the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Exhibition at the Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu Science Centre at Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape. Her research interest areas are Medical Anthropology, Development Anthropology, Social and Cultural Anthropology, and Gender Studies.  She has written and published research work in all these research interest areas. She has co-authored three accredited journal articles: Enacting Masculinities: pleasure to Men and Violence to women (2013); Pregnancy and birthing amongst the Mpondo Community An Ethnographic Study (2013); and Indigenous Mothers: An ethnographic study of Using the Environment during Pregnancy (2013/2014).

She is currently involved as one of the fieldwork supervisors in the Women Rise Project which is aimed at investigating any ‘triggers that elevate or depreciate the livelihoods and health statuses’ of women and how these have impacted their social relations during and after the COVID-19 period.

Natasha is an administrator at the HSRC works in the Equitable, Education, and Economies (EEE) at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).