The Human Sciences Research Council has appointed Prof Leickness Simbayi as the Deputy CEO for Research, effective 1 June 2016.  Prof Simbayi has a rich history within the HSRC, spanning over 15 years.

He is the founding Executive Director of the HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB research programme, the largest research programme in the HSRC, since its founding in July 2010. From July 2007 until June 2009 he also served as the Deputy Executive Director of the then Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health research programme. Between February 2008 and June 2009 he also served as the Acting Executive Director of the SAHA programme, followed by one year as the Executive Director from July 2009 until June 2010.

From the time that he joined the HSRC on 1 November 2001 until June 2007, Professor Simbayi served as a Research Director in charge of the Behavioural and Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Unit in SAHA as well as the Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa of the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance.

Professor Simbayi holds a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Sussex in England, United Kingdom. He is a registered Research Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa‘s Professional Board of Psychology and also a Member of Academy of Science of South Africa. He is also currently an Honorary Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town. During the past 15 years Professor Simbayi has mostly conducted his research in the area of social aspects of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Professor Simbayi has published 130 scientific articles in both local and international peer-reviewed journals, 25 research reports, 15 abstracts, and 12 book chapters. He also co-edited a book entitled HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 Years on: Psychosocial Perspectives which was published by Springer of New York in 2009. He has also presented more than 300 papers and posters at both local and international conferences.