Prof Johan Coetzee is an associate professor of banking and finance at the University of the Free State, specialising in banking, financial risk management, behavioural banking, fintech, and the evolving relationship between banks and customers. A chartered banker and certified management and business educator, he has extensive experience in postgraduate supervision, curriculum development, and international academic collaboration across Africa and Europe. His research and industry engagement focus on the impact of technological innovation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence on financial services and banking decision-making.

Prof Sevias Guvuriro holds a PhD in economics from the University of the Free State, where he currently serves as an associate professor and deputy head in the Department of Economics and Finance. He has more than two decades of experience working at higher education institutions, both nationally and internationally. He is an alumnus of the University of Michigan African Presential Scholars (UMAPS) programme (2022) and an alumnus of the University of Oslo (Norway). His research focuses on behavioural development economics and development economics more broadly, and he actively publishes in these areas. Behavioural development economics is a relatively new niche that primarily uses experiments and randomised control trials to better understand economic decision-making processes. This niche area also departs from the conventional standard economic models in terms of human preferences, beliefs, and decision-making. Importantly, it is multidisciplinary in nature, as it combines economics with insights from other disciplines such as psychology and sociology. (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1365-3591)

Prof Arno van Niekerk is an associate professor in the Department of Economics and Finance. He holds a PhD in economics and has more than two decades of experience in teaching, research, and community engagement. His research interests include economic inclusion, sustainable development, innovation, international economics, and global economic governance. He is the author of the award-winning book The Inclusive Economy: Criteria, Principles and Ubuntu (2022) and West to East: A New Global Economy in the Making? Achieving the SDGs (2025). Prof Van Niekerk has published extensively in accredited journals and books, regularly presents at national and international conferences, and contributes to public debates on economic issues through national media. His work focuses on advancing inclusive, sustainable, and human-centred economic development.

Prof Chijioke Nwosu is an associate professor in the Department of Economics and Finance. He holds a PhD in economics and an MCom in health economics, both from the University of Cape Town. He is a development microeconomist, with active research interest and expertise in health economics, inequality, and poverty analysis. His research spans health inequalities, health financing, and the health-labour market relationship. Prof Nwosu has published in many reputable journals, including SSM - Population Health, Current Psychology, International Journal for Equity in Health, and the South African Journal of Economics. He also has extensive teaching and supervision experience, having taught in South Africa, Germany, and the United States. Prof Nwosu has extensive grant-writing experience, having variously served as principal investigator (PI)/Co-PI/co-investigator for reputable organisations including the Ford Foundation, the Department of Social Development, and the Wellcome Trust. He currently teaches courses in mathematical economics and applied micro-econometrics, among others.

Dr Celeste Campher is a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance and also the programme director for Commerce in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State. She holds a PhD in behavioural economics from the UFS. She has at least 20 years’ experience as an academic and eight years’ experience as a public servant, where she served in the Office of the Premier and the Free State Provincial Treasury. Other roles include serving as a lecturer at the Summer School at the University of Bremen in Germany since June 2025 and at the UFS Business School since 2011. Her areas of expertise include behavioural economics, macroeconomics, and labour economics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She successfully completed an NRF-funded project, titled Social Discounting and Risk Attitudes, Time Preferences and Social preferences: An Experimental Study, during her PhD studies from 2015 to 2019. Her research niche includes topics such as social discounting, inequality, and labour.

Dr Herkulaas MvE Combrink is an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital transformation, computational social science, and evidence-based decision-making. His expertise lies in the development and application of AI-driven methods to address complex societal, educational, health, economic, financial, and organisational challenges within African contexts. A key strength of his work is the integration of advanced analytical techniques with unique, contextual datasets, enabling the development of solutions that are locally relevant. His research focuses on transforming complex data into actionable intelligence that supports strategic decision-making, resource allocation, policy development, organisational performance, and sustainable outcomes.

Dr Jacobus N Keyser is part of the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State. He became an academic in 2003 after working in the private sector. He has taught various economics and financial economics modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr Keyser holds a PhD, a master's degree in higher education, a master's degree in economics, an honours degree in economics, a higher educational diploma, and a BCom degree. His research and publications focus on finance, higher education, and political economics.

Dr Nyashadzashe (Nyasha) Everson Tamuka holds a PhD in computer science and has experience in business analytics and data science. As Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State, his research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, financial optimisation, and cybersecurity. His work focuses on the practical application of data-driven and intelligent methods to support decision-making and address challenges in business and finance.

Dr Antonie Pool holds a PhD in economics from the University of the Free State and is a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance. He brings more than two decades of academic experience to his teaching and research, which includes time-series econometrics, cross-sectional and panel data econometrics, and labour economics.

Dr Cecile Duvenhage is a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She holds a PhD in economics and has an extensive academic background, having completed her BCom, honours, and master’s degrees cum laude. Her academic career spans several decades (since 1995), including teaching, research, and leadership roles at both the University of the Free State and CUT, where she also served as campus manager and senate member. Dr Duvenhage’s research focuses on financial literacy, economic inequality, and education, with numerous publications and international conference presentations. She is also actively engaged in curriculum development, postgraduate supervision, and community outreach, contributing opinion pieces to national media and collaborating with industry partners. Her work reflects a strong commitment to student success, academic excellence, and real-world impact. She is a co-author and editor of the textbook Personal Finance (Van Schaik Publishers).

Dr Genius Murwirapachena holds a PhD in economics and currently serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance, where he teaches courses in spatial economics, mathematical economics, and statistics for economics. He is a Y2 NRF-rated scholar, and his research interests encompass water and resource economics, urban and regional economics, and public service delivery. He has extensive expertise in advanced econometric methodologies, including environmental valuation, efficiency analysis, and panel data techniques. He is actively involved in research and postgraduate supervision within these fields.

Dr Eugene Buthelezi is a lecturer with a PhD in economics, as well as BCom, BComHons, and master's degrees in economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His research interests include macroeconomics, public finance, fiscal policy, government debt sustainability, fiscal consolidation, economic uncertainty, and financial markets. He has published research in accredited international journals, focusing on topics such as public debt, geopolitical risk, and cryptocurrency markets. In addition to his research activities, he teaches undergraduate and postgraduate economics courses and supervises student research. He is passionate about advancing economic knowledge and contributing to evidence-based policy discussions that support sustainable economic development in South Africa and beyond.

Andrew James is a lecturer in finance at the University of the Free State and a PhD candidate specialising in financial markets. His research focuses on financialisation and market efficiency in non-ferrous metals markets, with broader interests in asset pricing, commodity markets, and the application of machine learning in finance. He holds a Master of Commerce in finance from the University of Cape Town and has industry experience as an investment analyst at Mi-Plan Asset Management and in operations at Allan Gray. He teaches investment management and financial modelling. His work combines academic research with practical financial market experience, contributing to a deeper understanding of how information is incorporated into asset prices and how financial markets function.

Hettie van Tonder provides comprehensive administrative, financial, and data support within the academic department. Key responsibilities include coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate assessment cycles, managing student marks within the PeopleSoft Gradebook, and processing postgraduate applications. Additionally, she handles human resources and financial tasks, such as coordinating contracts and capturing claims for external examiners, moderators, and invigilators on PeopleSoft HR. She ensures strict data integrity and compliance by maintaining meticulous records, generating standard faculty reports, and assisting students directly with registration and administrative queries. Ultimately, she serves as a vital operational link, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, accurate data management, and timely financial processing.

Tarusha Sewkumar is a dedicated higher education professional with experience in academic administration, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and student support. She has been involved in organising academic events, industry excursions, sponsorship initiatives, and departmental activities, ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently and within budget. Sewkumar is recognised for her strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple responsibilities in fast-paced environments. She works closely with academic staff, students, and external partners to facilitate effective communication and successful outcomes. Her strengths include administrative management, event planning, financial coordination, and relationship building. Committed to excellence and continuous improvement, she strives to contribute positively to the academic community through professionalism, teamwork, and a student-centred approach. She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities that enhance learning, professional development, and collaboration within higher education institutions.

Valentina Oelofse is a junior lecturer in data analytics who recently completed her Master of Commerce in business and financial analytics. Driven by a passion for bridging the gap between complex data problems and real-world application, she specialises in machine learning and dashboard creation.

Dr Calvin Mudzingiri is an NRF C2-rated economist, senior lecturer in economics, and internationally recognised researcher whose work examines how individuals, households, and institutions respond to economic, financial, political, and environmental risks. His interdisciplinary research integrates behavioural and experimental economics, behavioural finance, climate change economics, migration studies, governance, and development economics to generate evidence-based solutions for poverty reduction, resilience building, and sustainable development. A distinctive feature of his scholarship is its focus on mountain communities and resource-constrained regions, particularly in Southern Africa. Through his work with the Afromontane Research Unit, the Centre for Global Change, and Restoring Biodiversity and Connections to Nature in Southern African Mountains-SACHAIR, Dr Mudzingiri investigates climate vulnerability, livelihoods, migration, remittances, food security, natural resource management, and adaptation strategies in mountainous environments. His research explores how behavioural factors shape resilience and welfare outcomes among vulnerable populations facing climate, economic, and social shocks. Using advanced econometric techniques, experimental methods, and interdisciplinary approaches, Dr Mudzingiri produces policy-relevant research that informs governments, development agencies, academics, and community stakeholders across Africa and beyond. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1186-4109

Dr Regret Sunge is a lecturer in economics at the University of the Free State, with more than a decade of university teaching and research experience. He is an NRF-rated (Y2) researcher specialising in environmental, agricultural, and development economics. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Johannesburg and has published extensively on carbon emissions, ecological footprints, agricultural productivity, and sustainability in Africa. His research integrates advanced econometric and spatial modelling techniques to inform evidence-based environmental policy. Dr Sunge has presented at international conferences and contributed to policy-orientated research with institutions including the OECD and UN-ECA, focusing on climate change, sustainable development, and economic resilience in Africa. https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-5991-1146

Nthabiseng Mukwevho, a junior lecturer in economics, is currently completing her Master of Economics coursework at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is passionate about teaching and committed to fostering student success through clear, structured learning resources. Her research interests focus on the socioeconomic dimensions of unemployment, with her dissertation examining gender differences in the mental health impact of unemployment in South Africa. Known for her collaborative approach and dedication to academic excellence, she combines strong pedagogical skills with a growing research profile that highlights her commitment to addressing pressing social and economic challenges.