Dr Calvin Mudzingiri
Assistant Dean and Senior Lecturer Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus)
Dr Calvin Mudzingiri is an NRF-rated (C2) researcher, economist, and academic leader in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS). He currently serves as Assistant Dean and Senior Lecturer at the Qwaqwa Campus, where he plays a strategic role in academic leadership, curriculum development, and institutional governance. With over a decade of experience in higher education, He has established a strong reputation in teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision.
Academic Qualifications
PhD in Economics, University of the Free State (2019)
MSc in Economics, University of Zimbabwe Collaborative Masters Programme (AERC), Nairobi, Kenya
BSc (Hons) in Economics, University of Zimbabwe
Diploma in Education (Mathematics)
Research Focus Areas
Dr Mudzingiri’s research is interdisciplinary and policy-relevant, with a focus on:
Behavioural and experimental economics
Financial literacy and financial behaviour
Development and poverty economics
Climate change and economic systems
Monetary and fiscal policy
Financial economics and risk preferences
Research and Publications
Dr Mudzingiri has an extensive publication record in DHET-accredited and internationally recognised journals. His work primarily explores the behavioural dimensions of economic decision-making, particularly the role of financial literacy, risk preferences, and time preferences in shaping economic outcomes.
His recent research has expanded into climate change economics, examining the impact of environmental factors on household consumption, inflation, and financial stability in Southern Africa. He has also contributed to research on banking sector stability, governance, and inclusive growth in emerging economies.
Dr Mudzingiri teaches a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including:
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Development Economics
International Economics
Personal Finance
He has successfully supervised honours, master’s, and doctoral students and continues to mentor postgraduate candidates across diverse research areas. He also serves as an external examiner for several South African universities, contributing to national quality assurance in postgraduate education.
Leadership and Academic Service
As Assistant Dean, Dr Mudzingiri is actively involved in faculty leadership and governance. His responsibilities include overseeing academic staff, coordinating curriculum development, managing faculty operations, and contributing to strategic planning.
He has served on numerous institutional committees, including faculty management, academic planning, re-admission tribunals, employment equity, and teaching and learning committees. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to academic excellence, transformation, and institutional development.
Research Projects and Collaboration
Dr Mudzingiri is involved in several funded and collaborative research initiatives, including:
Biodiversity and sustainability research in Southern African mountain ecosystems
Climate change and financial stability in Southern Africa
Economic vulnerability and resilience in resource-constrained communities
Rangeland restoration and sustainable development projects
These projects demonstrate his commitment to applied research that addresses socio-economic and environmental challenges in Africa.
Prior to his academic career, Dr Mudzingiri worked as an economist at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, where he contributed to monetary policy analysis and fiscal assessments. He also served in the Ministry of Agriculture in Zimbabwe, participating in policy development, project evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.
Dr Mudzingiri is actively engaged in public scholarship and community outreach. He regularly contributes to media discussions, policy dialogues, and financial literacy initiatives. His outreach work includes delivering lectures to community groups and contributing opinion pieces to national media platforms, bridging the gap between academic research and societal impact.
Professional Memberships
Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA)
Econometric Society
Network for Studies on Pensions, Ageing, and Retirement (NESPAR)
Economic Development and Well-being Research Group (EDWRG)
Awards and Recognition
Dr Mudzingiri has received multiple awards for research excellence, including several “Prolific Researcher” awards at the University of the Free State, recognising his sustained contribution to academic research and scholarship.
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