Inequality, Innovation and Change Team

Geci Karuri-Sebina is as an Associate Professor at the University of Witwatersrand associated with the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, Tayarisha Digital Governance Research Group, the MIND Institute, and the Civic Tech Innovation Network. She is the ICESCO Chair on Innovation and Futures in Africa. Geci’s research interests lay in the intersections between people, place, time and technological change.  She holds Bachelors degrees in Computer Science and Sociology (Iowa); Masters degrees in Architecture and Urban Design, and in Urban Planning (UCLA); and a PhD in planning and innovation studies (Wits University). She is a Desmond Tutu African Leadership Fellow.

Amy Mutua is a researcher and registered candidate planner (South African Council for Planners), passionate about advancing the sustainable and inclusive development of African cities. Her research interests are focused on alternative urban development practices, urban governance, and sustainability transitions. Amy is currently pursuing a PhD through a joint programme between the University of Edinburgh and the University of the Witwatersrand.

Stacey-Leigh Joseph is Deputy Director at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies. She is the former Executive Manager for Programmes at the South African Cities Network, where she led a team of researchers developing content to support improved urban governance and management in South African cities. Her specific research focus areas over the past 15 years have been on issues related to land, human settlements, and urban development. She also has experience working in government and civil society and holds a Master of Social Science degree in International Relations from Rhodes University. 

Neo Letswalo is a post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS). He is also an External Programme Support Consultant for the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). He has served in several roles, including most recently as a Research Associate for Digital Policy at the 4IR and Digital Policy Unit at the University of Johannesburg, a Research Assistant at the T20 Digital Transformation Task Team and the African Policy Research Institute’s “Africa’s Digital Policy Agenda” project. He co-authored a book titled Township Economic Mistakes in 2021 and published several articles on greenwashing, climate aid finance, digital transformation, great power politics, cyberwarfare, and digital sovereignty.

Dr. Angella Ndaka is a Science and Technology Studies (STS) scholar with a PhD in Sociology and Gender Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand, and a Master of Public Policy in policy analysis from the Australian National University. Her expertise lies in Sustainable AI, Human Technology Interaction, and the sociotechnical systema of AI and emerging technologies, particularly in economy, education and agri-food systems. She also has experience in systems strengthening for Gender and youth transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Southern Centre of Inequality Studies (SCIS)University of the Witwatersrand, she co-leads the 6th domain on Sociotechnical Systems and Human Technology Interaction, situated in the SDDE project. She has also been researchingon AI economy, gender dimensions of AI, economic foresight of technology and the future of work for marginalized African youth. Angella has worked with global and regionalinstitutions including FAO, Centre for Epistemic Justice Foundation, Shortlist Professionalsand Athena Infonomics in driving inclusive AI strategies, policy frameworks and interventions. Her thought leadership in user-centred, equity-driven AI has earned her global recognition, including the 2023 Women in AI (APAC) Cultural Leadership Award, a spot among the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics and the 19 incredible women shaping AI in Africa. She is a passionate advocate for co-designed, sustainable AI grounded in economic and social equity, policy relevance, and local context.