Prof Leickness Simbayi

Prof Leickness Simbayi is the Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Research (DCEO:R) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) of South Africa with effect from 1 June 2023 until 31 March 2024. He previously served as DCEO:R from 1 January 2016 until 31 May 2023, during which time he was also the Interim CEO from 1 April 2021 until 31 January 2023. He is formerly the founding Executive Director of the HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) research programme in the same organisation, a position which he held since its founding in July 2010 until 31 December 2015. He also served as the Executive Director of the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health (SAHA) programme from February 2008 June 2010. Prior to that he served as a Research Director in charge of the Behavioural and Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Unit in SAHA, as well as the Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa of the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance (SAHARA) since November 2001, and also as the Deputy Executive Director of the then SAHA research programme between July 2007 until June 2009. Professor Simbayi holds a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Sussex in England, United Kingdom. He is also currently an Honorary Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town. He is a Member of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and also a rated researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.