Prof. Leickness Chisamu Simbayi
Professor Simbayi is the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) of South Africa since 1 April 2021. He is formerly the founding Executive Director of the HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) research programme in the same organisation, a position which he held since its founding in July 2010 until 31 December 2015. Between February 2008 and June 2009 he also served as the Acting Executive Director of the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health (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, he 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 (SAHARA). From July 2007 until June 2009 he also served as the Deputy Executive Director of the then SAHA research programme.
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 (ASSAf). He is also currently an Honorary Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town. He is also a National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researcher
Before joining the HSRC, Professor Simbayi spent 15 years as an academic during which time he taught mainly courses in research methods and statistics in psychology, and biological psychology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at five different universities in Southern Africa, namely, Universities of Zambia, Bophuthatswana (now North West University, Mahikeng Campus), Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela University, South Campus), Fort Hare, and Western Cape (UWC). He was Associate Professor and Head of Psychology Department at Fort Hare, and Associate Professor and then full Professor as well as Chairperson of the Department of Psychology at UWC.
During the past two decades Professor Simbayi has mostly conducted his research in the area of social aspects of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In particular, his research has focused on second-generation HIV surveillance especially using biobehavioural surveys, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), determinants of HIV infection (such as poverty, alcohol and drug use, gender-based violence, sex in the presence of blood, multiple sexual partnerships, and male circumcision), and theory-based HIV social and behavioural risk reduction interventions including positive prevention which targets people living with HIV/AIDS who are aware of their status.
Prof Simbayi has published 138 scientific articles in both local and international peer-reviewed academic journals, 26 research reports, 15 abstracts, and 12 book chapters. He 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. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Psychology in Africa.
GIZ Grant agreement
GIZ funding for DSI Interns....
SABSSM VI proposed embedded SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Study
SABSSM VI proposed embedded SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Study....
DSI_HSRC Internship Programme
Implementation and Management of the DSI_HSRC Internship Programme....
New Lovelife Trust
The 2016 South African national human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence, incidence, behaviour and communication survey (which is also known as t....
SABSSM V: CCI ( Communication Partner for THE FIFTH SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL HIV PREVALENCE, INCIDENCE, BEHAVIOUR, AND COMMUNICATION SURVEY, 2016 (SABSSM V)
The 2016 South African national human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence, incidence, behaviour and communication survey (which is also known as t....
Soul City : THe fifth SA National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey (SABSSM V)
Aims: ??? To conduct surveillance of HIV infection and behaviour in South Africa, and to obtain a better understanding of factors driving the HIV ep....
Round Two of Ghana Men's Study: Mapping, Population Size Estimation & Integrated Bio-Behavioural Surveillance Survey
Conduct the mapping and population size estimation (MPSE) and integrated bio-behavioural surveillance survey (IBBSS) among men who have sex with men (....
Secondary analysis of the orphans and vulnerable children and youth (OVCY) data from the 2012 HSRC household survey
The aim of this study is to undertake a secondary data analysis of OVCY data from the 2012 HSRC Household Survey. The consultancy includes the analysi....
GH 001629: Support for Strengthening and Utilization of Strategic Information Activities in the RSA under PEPFAR
This application by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) responds to the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) number CDC-RFA-GH15-1576 titled ....
Health of our Educators and Officials in Public Schools In South Africa: A National Survey
The proposed study will determine the changes that have occurred in the HIV epidemic since the last survey. It will also determine the impact of inter....
WRHI The people living with HIV stigma index
The survey seeks to measure the level of stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV, and to explore how this information could be....
Technical and financial support for the additional analysis of HSRC's HIV/AIDS population-based survey datasets and assistance with setting up of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) unit of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)
The proposed scope of work will mainly focus on in-depth analysis of the South African HIV epidemic, Project Framework Narrative There are three main....
The people living with HIV Stigma Index
The survey seeks to measure the level of stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV, and to explore how this information could be....
The Fifth South African National HIV, Behavioural & Health Survey, 2014/15
Aim/Objectives This proposed survey will be the fifth in a series of national population-based surveys conducted for surveillance of the HIV epidemic ....
HIV Prevention Services, Capacity Building Assistance And Evaluation Activities For High-Risk, Underserved Populations In The RSA Under PEPFAR
Globally, KPs have been shown to be at disproportionate risk for HIV infection. HIV prevalence within these populations tends to be higher in areas wh....
Surveillance of HIV and Risk Behavious among MSM (CDC Additional Funds)
The emergence of the generalized heterosexual HIV epidemic in South Africa in the early 1990s eclipsed the earlier HIV epidemic among men who have sex....
SABSSM IV ( CDC Portion Writing Workshops)
This project is used for the analysis and write up of the National Population-based Househopld Survey for 2012 (SABSSM IV). THis is on order for SABSS....
SABSSM IV - BMGF SECOND FUNDING PORTION
The national HIV survey to be conducted in 2012 will have the following broad objectives: To determine the prevalence of HIV infection in South Afri....
Strategic Support: Draft HIV Prevention Strategy 2012-2016 (Department of Social Development)
The purpose of this assignment is to assist DSD in the finalization of their strategy. For the strategy to reach finalization several activities are c....
Research on what works in HIV and AIDS and the world of work initiatives
This proposal is submitted in response to the call for proposals made by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for conducting research on ?What ....
SANAC - SABSSM IV
This survey, funded by CDC , SANAC, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF, is the fourth in a series of national population-based surveys condu....
Planning for SA, Behaviour and Health Survey, 2014
This proposed survey will be the fifth in a series of national population-based surveys conducted for surveillance of the HIV epidemic in South Africa....
(SSARRAH) Strenghtening South Africa\\\'s Revitalised response to AIDS and Health
The SSARRAH programme responds to the substantial changes at a political level in South Africa which have created new space and a commitment by all st....
HIV and substance use prevention for south african youth and families (style)
Brief rationale and background: Youth in SA are experiencing the fastest increase in new HIV infections, and new infections are fueled by both mental ....
Impact of Poor Health and AIDS on small Businesses in South Africa
HIV-related stigma has been identified as a barrier to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. While various survey instruments and stigma scales have been....
CDC/ PEPFAR Program to Improve Capacity of an Indigenous Statutory Institution to Enhance Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV/AIDS in the Republic of South Africa as Part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
This is a five year project whose proposal budget covers the first year only. The other years will be This project consists of five program areas whic....