I am an experienced and passionate researcher, lecturer and postgraduate supervisor, with experience in academic research and management, and in NGO and public sector project management. I hold a C2 research rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF). My publications and research interests lie in South African politics, elections, democratic theory, democratic policing, public policy and participatory governance. I hold extensive qualitative research experience. My research has focused on the history of the African National Congress, participatory democracy and the quality of democracy in South Africa, including policies and mechanisms for citizen participation in government and conceptions of democracy amongst officers of the South African Police Service.