Dr Lwando Mdleleni
Dr. Lwando Mdleleni is a distinguished development studies scholar, policy researcher, and academic leader with over a decade of experience at the intersection of public policy, social innovation, and community-centred development. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), he has built an impressive career spanning applied research, higher education, and executive leadership, consistently translating rigorous academic inquiry into actionable policy outcomes across South Africa and the broader African continent.
Currently serving as a Senior Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Dr. Mdleleni leads impact assessments, policy evaluations, and evidence-based research projects in domains including governance, education, health, environment, and climate-change. His work is distinguished by a deep commitment to methodological rigour, stakeholder engagement, and the meaningful integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems into mainstream research and policy frameworks.
