House of Science Flagship Programme Facilitators
Dr. Gavhi-Molefe is a Mathematical Scientist and Senior AIMS House of Science Manager. Before joining AIMS, she was a postdoctoral fellow in Mathematics at the University of Alberta, Canada. She received her PhD, MSc and Honours in Mathematics and MPhil in Science and Technology Studies, with a focus on Public Science Engagement, from Stellenbosch University. She also holds a BSc in Mathematics and Chemistry from the University of Venda. Her research focuses on Subdivision Schemes used in computer-aided design application areas, such as aircraft design and animation movie production. Her other research interests include Science Communication/Science-Society Engagement. Her role as a Manager of the House of Science includes the provision of leadership, direction and drive on the Public Engagement landscape and developing sustainable Public Engagement frameworks.
Dr. Gavhi-Molefe has been involved in outreach activities that aim to contribute to the upliftment of disadvantaged communities concerning mathematics and science education and an advocate for gender equality in STEM. She is a founder of MathAfrica, which aims to raise awareness about the need for quality mathematics education in disadvantaged African communities. During her stint as a postdoctoral fellow in Canada, Dr. Gavhi-Molefe also co-founded the Canadian mentoring organisation MentorUP.
Present, African Gong
Dr Elizabeth Rasekoala is the President of African Gong – The Pan-African Network for the Popularization of Science & Technology and Science Communication, which aims to advance the Public Learning and Understanding of Science (PLUS), scientific outreach and scientific literacy on the African continent (www.africangong.org). She is the Editor of the influential new Book "Race and Sociocultural Inclusion in Science Communication: Innovation, Decolonisation, and Transformation”. Dr Rasekoala with a professional background in Chemical Engineering and industry internationally has championed, advocated, researched, presented and written widely on public innovation and transformative development through advancing diversity, socio-cultural inclusion, ethics and gender equality issues in science communication and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, skills and entrepreneurship development. She has provided extensive advisory and consultancy expertise to various governments, institutions and multilateral international organisations over the past 20 years, including the European Commission, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR); the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); UNESCO; the African Union Commission (AUC); and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Dr Rasekoala is the first African female scientist to receive an International Award for Science Communication, having been honoured as the 2019 Recipient of the International NAT AWARD for Science Communication, conferred by the Natural Science Museum of Barcelona.