Dr Paul Maluleka

Paul Maluleka is an Associate Professor of History (of) Education at the University of South Africa. He is also a Co-Director of the African Association for History Education (AHE-Afrika), Deputy President of the South African Society for History Teaching (SASHT), and Editorial Board Member of Yesterday and Today Journal for History Education in South Africa and abroad. His research, teaching, and activism centre on Africanisation, decolonisation, and queer theorisations in both higher and basic education, with a particular focus on post-apartheid school history in South Africa. He leads a major National Research Foundation–funded project examining how best the post-apartheid school history curriculum in South Africa can be queered.

Ass Prof Daniela Gachago

Dr Daniela Gachago is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Innovation in Learning at Teaching at the Centre for Higher Education Development at the University of Cape Town. Her research focuses on academic staff development to transform teaching and learning in higher education, with a particular focus on socially just pedagogies such as digital storytelling. She is also interested in innovative course and curriculum design drawing from co-creative approaches such as design thinking. She received a PHD from the School of Education at the University of Cape Town. She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is the managing editor of CriSTaL, the journal for critical studies in teaching and learning in higher education.

Siya Sabata

Bio coming soon.

Monique Koetaan

Bio coming soon.

Leanri van Heerden

Leanri van Heerden is a learning designer with the Central University of Technology, Free State. Her responsibilities include the design and development of online and blended learning and teaching experiences, educational technology training and support, and research. She has a background in visual art which gives her a creative perspective on higher education.

Nicola Pallitt

Dr Nicola Pallitt is an Educational Technology Specialist at Senior Lecturer Level. She coordinates the efforts of the Educational Technology team in the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL) at Rhodes University. Nicola offers professional development opportunities and learning design support for academics to design effective blended, hybrid and online learning experiences for their students. Nicola supervises postgraduate students, co-teaches formal courses in Higher Education and co-designs and co-teaches online short courses. She enjoys meeting and supporting practitioner-researchers in the Educational Technology field and is also part of the e/merge Africa team.

Patricia Muhuro

Patricia is involved in the Programme Development Project of HELTASA as a scholarly practitioner. Her passion lies in finding ways to infuse imperatives of social justice and inclusion in the current student and professional learning programmes in the higher education sector. This focus area is critical for her given her as a senior academic developer. She has engaged in scholarship in related thematic areas inter alia, enablers and constraints in professional learning of teachers, student transition and retention, infusion of technology in teaching and learning and decolonisation of the curriculum and efficacy of student support programmes. She is hoping that the Programme development programme will enable her to collaborate with likeminded academic developers in order to advance programme development in higher education.

Benita Bobo

Benita Bobo is a Senior Advisor at the Centre for Teaching and Learning at Stellenbosch University. Her work focuses on advancing inclusive pedagogies and fostering equitable learning environments in higher education. She has experience in curriculum development and academic staff development, with a strong commitment to transformative learning approaches. Prior to her current role, she lectured in Institutional General Education at the Durban University of Technology, where she designed and institutionally coordinated modules that promote critical reflection and social responsibility. She also worked as a lecturer and institutional coordinator for service-learning and volunteerism at Rhodes University, integrating community engagement into academic programs. Her research explores social justice, transformation, and inclusivity in higher education, with a particular interest in pedagogical practices that challenge systemic inequalities and support diverse student success. Benita holds a PhD in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education.

Dr Ntsoaki Malebo

Ntsoaki Malebo holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of the Free State and a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education from Rhodes University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership Development from the University of Stellenbosch. She is currently appointed as a Senior Director at the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching at the Central University of Technology, Free State. She is currently involved in academic staff development, a project coordinator for the HELTASA ADL SIG. She is an NRF grant holder registered as a Professional Natural Scientist with SACNASP (South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions). She supervises students at Masters and Doctoral level in the field of Food Safety with a research focus in the use of indigenous knowledge systems for food preservation aligned with SDG 12 which places emphasis on sustainable production and consumption. She has published work in peer reviewed journals and presented at local and international conferences.

Rieta Ganas

I am an academic and educational developer based at the Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) at the University of the Witwatersrand. I am involved in the conceptualisation, facilitation and co-ordination of professional learning programmes, courses and workshops for the academic staff in relation to learning and teaching, curriculum development, leadership and personal development. With a range of positions in educational leadership and management, I always foster people enhancement through a stronger sense of an authentic self. I currently serve as the Deputy Chair of the Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA), a steering committee member of the New Academics Transitioning into Higher Education (NATHEP) and as a member on the National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC) for the Enhancing Framework. My scholarship interests lies in the field of academic development.

Prof Subethra Pather

Prof Subethra (Su) Pather is currently the Teaching & Learning specialist in the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She plays an important role in enhancing UWC’s student success initiatives. Prof Pather is UWC’s Siyaphumelela Lead for the Student Success project. She is Deputy President of HELTASA and forms part of the co-ordinating council working collaboratively with scholarly project managers to enhance teaching and learning in higher education. Prof Pather is manager of UWC FYE and Tutor Enhancement Programme at institutional level. Her research interests are located within the higher education field with particular focus on first year student transition, support, retention and success. Her extensive academic publications and academic presentations are located in this field. She is also involved in several national and international networks in first-year experience to advance student success in South Africa and her research agenda.

Dr Greig Krull

Dr Greig Krull is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Director for Digital Learning in the Commerce, Law and Management (CLM) Faculty at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he provides support to academics around blended and online learning and teaching. He holds a PhD in Technology-Enhanced Learning. His research interests lie in open and flexible learning in higher education, particularly in the areas of mobile learning and professional learning. He is a member of the Executive Committees of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) and the National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning in South Africa (NADEOSA).

Dr Anthea H M Jacobs

Anthea H M Jacobs is a graduate of Stellenbosch University (SU), holding both a Master’s and PhD in Education Policy Studies. With a rich background in education spanning the basic, further, and higher education (HE) sectors, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as an Academic Developer at the SU Centre for Teaching and Learning. The core focus of her job is the professional development of academics, which gives her the opportunity to live out one of her passions, which is empowering and building the capacity of others.

Anthea’s research interests encompass a broad spectrum of topics including HE TLA, professional development, and transformative pedagogies. In her current role, Anthea leverages her extensive expertise to drive meaningful change and innovation, striving to create an environment where TLA are not just processes but transformative experiences that shape the future of education.

Dr Nelia Frade

Dr Nelia Frade is a Senior Coordinator at the Centre for Staff Development (CASD) with particular reference to tutoring, at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Her role is to provide strategic leadership to ensure that tutorials remain integral to teaching and learning. Her research interests include, the role of tutors in promoting student success, integrating tutorials into the curriculum, blended learning environments, student development theories and student engagement and involvement theories. Dr Frade is part of the HELTASA Student Learning Project.

Rieta Ganas

I am an academic and educational developer based at the Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) at the University of the Witwatersrand. I am involved in the conceptualisation, facilitation and co-ordination of professional learning programmes, courses and workshops for the academic staff in relation to learning and teaching, curriculum development, leadership and personal development. With a range of positions in educational leadership and management, I always foster people enhancement through a stronger sense of an authentic self. I currently serve as the Deputy Chair of the Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA), a steering committee member of the New Academics Transitioning into Higher Education (NATHEP) and as a member on the National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC) for the Enhancing Framework. My scholarship interests lies in the field of academic development.

Prof Subethra Pather

Prof Subethra (Su) Pather is currently the Teaching & Learning specialist in the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She plays an important role in enhancing UWC’s student success initiatives. Prof Pather is UWC’s Siyaphumelela Lead for the Student Success project. She is Deputy President of HELTASA and forms part of the co-ordinating council working collaboratively with scholarly project managers to enhance teaching and learning in higher education. Prof Pather is manager of UWC FYE and Tutor Enhancement Programme at institutional level. Her research interests are located within the higher education field with particular focus on first year student transition, support, retention and success. Her extensive academic publications and academic presentations are located in this field. She is also involved in several national and international networks in first-year experience to advance student success in South Africa and her research agenda.

Dr Greig Krull

Dr Greig Krull is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Director for Digital Learning in the Commerce, Law and Management (CLM) Faculty at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he provides support to academics around blended and online learning and teaching. He holds a PhD in Technology-Enhanced Learning. His research interests lie in open and flexible learning in higher education, particularly in the areas of mobile learning and professional learning. He is a member of the Executive Committees of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) and the National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning in South Africa (NADEOSA).

Prof Kasturi Behari-Leak (PhD)

As interim Director of Academic and Professional Staff Development in the Centre for Higher Education Development at UCT, I am passionate about working with academics at all stages of their trajectories to support, enhance, deepen and transform the way teaching and learning are conceptualised and practised in HE. My work in this area focuses on the exploring the interplay between structure (national, institutional, departmental and disciplinary) and culture and how this influences academics’ critical agency in the interest of change. I am President of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) and have been duly elected as the President-elect for ICED (2020-2021) and President of ICED (2021-2023). I am project leader of a national academic staff development collaborative project (UCDG), NATHEP. I was co- chair of the Curriculum Change Working Group at UCT, commissioned to facilitate discursive engagements on curriculum change and decolonisation across the university. I am on the advisory committee for GHEAR, a sub-committee of the World Universities Network. I am part of several national and international research consortia, focused on HE. I have published in the area of higher education studies and decolonising pedagogies/ decolonising the curriculum.

Dr Whitty Green

Bio coming soon.

Mandisa Cakwe

Bio coming soon.

Mahlubi “Chief” Mabizela

Bio coming soon.

Robert Pardo Silva

I´m an educator, a practitioner, and in that role, I have worked in companies and educational institutions, including two years working for a foundation as the Principal of a school located in one Chile´s most socially disadvantaged areas. Currently, I´m the Director of the Learning Center at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and I also direct its Certificate (Diploma) in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. I´m really passionate about learning and educational development. I was for four years Director of the Chilean Network of Learning Centres, the first of its kind in Latin America, and in 2021 I became Vice-president of the International Consortium for Academic Development. I´ve got a degree in Linguistics from Universidad de Chile, a degree in Education from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, a professional degree in Psychopedagogy from Educares Institute, and a Master’s Degree in Cognitive Psychology and Learning from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

Mary Kiguru

Mary Kiguru is a systemic change designer and a learning development expert. Mary designs and facilitates programs for Faculty/Academic Development through the Association for Faculty Enrichment in Learning and Teaching (AFELT, www.afelt.org). She is founder member of AFELT and serves as the Organization’s Secretary General and founder member driving the implementation of the Council’s vision in transforming Faculty Development across East Africa. Mary Kiguru is also the Country for Education for All Children – an Education-to-Employment Launchpad program, where provides strategic leadership for the organization in developing strategies to empower youth for the world of work. In her portfolio, she has designed the Education-to-Employment Bridge program that equips the scholars with requisite skills for the world of work.

Rieta Ganas

I am an academic and educational developer based at the Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) at the University of the Witwatersrand. I am involved in the conceptualisation, facilitation and co-ordination of professional learning programmes, courses and workshops for the academic staff in relation to learning and teaching, curriculum development, leadership and personal development. With a range of positions in educational leadership and management, I always foster people enhancement through a stronger sense of an authentic self. I currently serve as the Deputy Chair of the Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA), a steering committee member of the New Academics Transitioning into Higher Education (NATHEP) and as a member on the National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC) for the Enhancing Framework. My scholarship interests lies in the field of academic development.

Prof Subethra Pather

Prof Subethra (Su) Pather is currently the Teaching & Learning specialist in the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She plays an important role in enhancing UWC’s student success initiatives. Prof Pather is UWC’s Siyaphumelela Lead for the Student Success project. She is Deputy President of HELTASA and forms part of the co-ordinating council working collaboratively with scholarly project managers to enhance teaching and learning in higher education. Prof Pather is manager of UWC FYE and Tutor Enhancement Programme at institutional level. Her research interests are located within the higher education field with particular focus on first year student transition, support, retention and success. Her extensive academic publications and academic presentations are located in this field. She is also involved in several national and international networks in first-year experience to advance student success in South Africa and her research agenda.

Dr Greig Krull

Dr Greig Krull is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Director for Digital Learning in the Commerce, Law and Management (CLM) Faculty at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he provides support to academics around blended and online learning and teaching. He holds a PhD in Technology-Enhanced Learning. His research interests lie in open and flexible learning in higher education, particularly in the areas of mobile learning and professional learning. He is a member of the Executive Committees of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) and the National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning in South Africa (NADEOSA).

Prof Kasturi Behari-Leak (PhD)

As interim Director of Academic and Professional Staff Development in the Centre for Higher Education Development at UCT, I am passionate about working with academics at all stages of their trajectories to support, enhance, deepen and transform the way teaching and learning are conceptualised and practised in HE. My work in this area focuses on the exploring the interplay between structure (national, institutional, departmental and disciplinary) and culture and how this influences academics’ critical agency in the interest of change. I am President of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) and have been duly elected as the President-elect for ICED (2020-2021) and President of ICED (2021-2023). I am project leader of a national academic staff development collaborative project (UCDG), NATHEP. I was co- chair of the Curriculum Change Working Group at UCT, commissioned to facilitate discursive engagements on curriculum change and decolonisation across the university. I am on the advisory committee for GHEAR, a sub-committee of the World Universities Network. I am part of several national and international research consortia, focused on HE. I have published in the area of higher education studies and decolonising pedagogies/ decolonising the curriculum.

Dr Britta Zawada

Bio coming soon.

Mr Shiba Diketane

Bio coming soon.

Mahlubi “Chief” Mabizela

Bio coming soon.

Robert Pardo Silva

I´m an educator, a practitioner, and in that role, I have worked in companies and educational institutions, including two years working for a foundation as the Principal of a school located in one Chile´s most socially disadvantaged areas. Currently, I´m the Director of the Learning Center at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and I also direct its Certificate (Diploma) in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. I´m really passionate about learning and educational development. I was for four years Director of the Chilean Network of Learning Centres, the first of its kind in Latin America, and in 2021 I became Vice-president of the International Consortium for Academic Development. I´ve got a degree in Linguistics from Universidad de Chile, a degree in Education from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, a professional degree in Psychopedagogy from Educares Institute, and a Master’s Degree in Cognitive Psychology and Learning from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

Mary Kiguru

Mary Kiguru is a systemic change designer and a learning development expert. Mary designs and facilitates programs for Faculty/Academic Development through the Association for Faculty Enrichment in Learning and Teaching (AFELT, www.afelt.org). She is founder member of AFELT and serves as the Organization’s Secretary General and founder member driving the implementation of the Council’s vision in transforming Faculty Development across East Africa. Mary Kiguru is also the Country for Education for All Children – an Education-to-Employment Launchpad program, where provides strategic leadership for the organization in developing strategies to empower youth for the world of work. In her portfolio, she has designed the Education-to-Employment Bridge program that equips the scholars with requisite skills for the world of work.