With the aim of advancing health research capabilities in the region, HEARD is pleased to welcome three leading experts – Dr Jim Whitman, Sisonke Msimang and Dr Antonieta Lara-Medina – to senior positions in the organisation.

Prof Jim Whitman a former Professor of Global Governance in the Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, UK, joins HEARD to serve as Visiting Professor for the next two years. He will be assisting with the establishment of the HEARD PhD Scholarship Programme and teaching, with a view to helping students refine their research questions and develop their Year 1 Concept Papers.

“HEARD is uniquely placed to establish a critical mass of scholars for the advancement of work on the social, political and economic drivers of HIV infection and on the obstacles they present to dealing with the consequences of AIDS, for individuals, communities and the nations of the Southern African region,” said Whitman “I also look forward to working with HEARD doctoral candidates and colleagues on broader issues of global health.”

Sisonke Msimang, a highly decorated academic activist with significant experience in high level political analysis and research in public health, gender and inclusive democracy in Africa, joins HEARD as a Senior Research Fellow. At HEARD, Msimang will work on gender violence in neoliberal space with an initial focus on South Africa.

Dr Antonieta Lara-Medina is an expert health economist from the UK. She currently holds a senior lectureship at the University of Exeter. At HEARD, she will support the organisation’s work with UNAIDS and SADC on investment cases and prioritisation.