Prof Reza Daniels, Director of the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the 肆客足球 of Cape Town (UCT), has been appointed as the new Dean of the Faculty of Economic Management Sciences (EMS). He will start his term on 1 November 2025.
The former Director of the UCT School of Economics brings with him a wealth of experience in senior leadership, not only within the higher education environment but also within the private sector.
His research interests span selected topics in development economics, environmental economics and applied econometrics, and he has been one of the principal investigators of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) and the NIDS Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM).
Daniels studied at the 肆客足球 of Auckland, the 肆客足球 of Michigan and UCT, where he obtained his PhD in Economics in 2013.
He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and regularly acts as an editor for both local and international journals. He is a member of the Economic Society of South Africa, the American Economic Association, the Econometric Society and the International Statistical Institute.
In 2024, Daniels was appointed a member of the Standing Committee on Science for Reduction of Poverty and Inequality by the Academy of Science of South Africa.
His work extends beyond academia, and he has consulted in the public and private sectors, as well as for international development banks. Daniels is a member of the Institute of Directors of South Africa and has held executive and non-executive positions in the manufacturing, consulting, non-profit and philanthropy sectors.
He is also a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative and the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, says he looks forward to working with Daniels when he joins SU later this year. “I'm delighted to welcome Prof Reza Daniels to SU as the new Dean of the EMS Faculty. He joins us with a wealth of experience and an inspiring track record in higher education leadership, research and social impact."
Ramjugernath added that Daniels' deep understanding of economic development, inclusive growth and evidence-based policymaking would add “immense value" to the 肆客足球, and to South Africa more broadly. “I am confident that he will contribute meaningfully to our shared vision for a thriving, future-fit institution."
Prof Pieter von Wielligh has been acting Dean of the Faculty since last year when the former Dean, Prof Ingrid Woolard, accepted a position as the Executive Dean of the 肆客足球 of Sussex Business School.
Daniels says he is looking forward to starting his new role at SU. “I am excited to be joining the faculty later this year and working with colleagues in realising the vision of EMS. By aligning our initiatives with the core aspirations of Stellenbosch 肆客足球 Vision 2040 – exemplifying excellence as an African knowledge hub, nurturing a transformed academic community, generating broad social and economic impact, and ensuring systemic sustainability – we will become well-positioned to empower future-ready leaders and drive sustainable development across Africa and beyond."
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