Dr Xander Flemming is a lecturer and researcher at the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR). After obtaining a master’s degree in counselling psychology, he gained over 12 years of experience in community settings. He managed and implemented mental health and psycho-social well-being programs and sexual health and HIV/STI prevention programs for marginalised groups in resource-limited settings in South Africa. He has worked at a national level and across various sectors, including public health, health promotion, the NGO/CBO sector and corporate social investment.

Professor Lusilda Schutte is an Associate Professor at the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research of the North-West University and a registered and practicing Clinical Psychologist.

Building on a Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics, Statistics, and Psychology as majors, Prof Schutte holds a Doctoral degree in Psychology from the North-West University, South Africa, and Master’s degrees in both Clinical Psychology and Statistics.

Professor Alida Herbst is a registered social worker and currently Director of the School of Psychosocial Health. She practised for 13 years as medical social worker in 1 Military and the MediClinic Heart and Kloof hospitals where she gained expertise in the fields of narrative, trauma, grief and bereavement counselling; the psychosocial adjustment of patients with cancer, heart disease and other chronic illnesses; support to the families of such patients and the self-care of caregivers.