​​​​​Department of Psychiatry

​Research - Research Units 

Africa Neuroethics Research Group​


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The Africa Neuroethics Research Group is led by Dr. Olivia Matshabane, under the mentorship of Prof. Soraya Seedat.

About

We are a transdisciplinary team that explores the ethical, legal, social, and cultural implications of neuroscience and neurotechnology in Africa. Our research group aims to contribute to the establishment of culturally and contextually relevant neuroethics guidelines for neuroscientific advancements in and for Africa, the diaspora, and globally.

Research mandate

We aim to build research capacity on neuroethics in Africa through securing local and international funding for new projects, graduate students, and the establishment of new collaborations and partnerships which will all lead to not only capacity development, it will also contribute to the production of scholarly outputs as well as public and community engagement. ​

Team values

values_edited.jpg

Research team

su.png​ South African Team: Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University  gbd.png
seedat.pngProf Soraya Seedat
MBChB, FC Psych (SA), MMed Psych, MPhil Applied Ethics (Bioethics), PhD

Distinguished Professor                                 
Executive Head of the Department of Psychiatry                            
Interests: Assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders with a special interest in clinical and translational work in childhood and adult posttraumatic stress disorder.
matshabane.pngDr Olivia Matshabane
BA in Psychology, BA (Hons) in Psychology, MA in Psychology, PhD in Medicine

Principal Investigator                          
Neuroethics Researcher

Interests: Mental health, neuroscientific technologies, neuroethics, and the ethical, legal, social, and cultural implications of neuropsychiatric genomics in Africa and globally.
rafique.pngMiss Mohhadiah Rafique
BSc Human Life Sciences with Psychology, BA (Hons) Psych (Cum Laude), MA Research Psychology


Research Assistant

Interests: Mental health interventions, substance use behaviours, minorities, and marginalized communities, critical consciousness – towards the decolonial project.

songo.jpgMiss Buhle Songo

BSc Human Anatomy and Physiology, BMS (Hons) Human Anatomy


MSc Neuroscience (Neuroethics) candidate

Interest: Neuroethics research focused on developing Africa-specific neuroethics guidelines for neuroscience research on innovative neurotechnologies for PTSD in Africa.

ak univ.jpg​Kenyan Team: Brain & Mind Institute, Aga Khan University bmi.png
bitta.png​Dr Mary Bitta

BSc in Nursing, PG Diploma in Health Research Methods, MSc in Global Mental Health, PhD in Psychiatry

Kenya Principal Investigator

Interests: Developing and testing contextually relevant interventions to address the treatment gap for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in low-resource settings.

nyadimo.jpgMiss Vivian Nyadimo

BSc in Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics Candidate

 

Kenya Project Manager

Interests: Public health nutrition, innovative strategies to improve health through education, prevention and intervention as well as research on neurological conditions in Africa. ​

shilla.jpegMiss Shilla Dama Unda
BA in Sociology and Communication

Research Assistant
 

Interests: Development and humanitarian health research and social protection, sexuality, reproductive health, gender-based violence, and research on neurological conditions in Africa. 
​Collaborators

du plessis.pngProf Stefan du Plessis
Clinician Scientist


Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University


Interests: Neuroimaging and virtual reality.
Chiliza.jpgProf Bonga Chiliza
Chief Specialist Psychiatrist and Head of Department


Department of Psychiatry, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Interests: Mental health, psychosis and genomics research in Africa.

Other collaborations


​​​Publications

  1. Matshabane, O. P., & ​Seedat. (In press). An Afrocentric Perspective on Neurodiversity: Neuroethical Considerations in Africa. AJOB Neuroscience.
  2. Matshabane, O. P., Hartford, A., Ewuoso, C. O., Palk, A. C., Koehly, L. M., Stein, D. J., & de Vries, J. (2024). Advancing neuroethics in Africa. South African Journal of Science, 120(5/6). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2024/18180
  3. Matshabane, O. P., & Ewuoso, C. (2023). A Braver Neuroethics that Matters in (and for) Africa. AJOB Neuroscience, 14(4):410-413. https://doi.org/10.1080/21507740.2023.2257161
  4. ​​Book Chapter submitted: Rafique, M.A.C., Songo, B.S., & Matshabane, O.P. Moving with the drum beat of the community: Reflections on decolonial and cross-cultural neuroethics community engagement (Imbizo) in Africa. Developments in Neuroethics and Bioethics: Indigenous and Cross-cultural Perspectives on Brain and Mind, 8.

​​Conference presentations​

  1. ​​Songo, B.S., Rafique, M.A.C., Du Plessis, S., Seedat, S., & Matshabane, O.P. (2024). Towards Africa-specific neuroethics guidelines for neuroscience research on innovative neurotechnologies for PTSD in Africa. 10th NIH BRAIN Initiative (Poster).
  2. Matshabane, O.P. & Seedat, S. (2023). Ethical challenges of psychedelic treatments, neurotechnologies and AI. Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress Conference (Oral).
  3. Upcoming: Africa Global Mental Health Initiative Conference (November 2024, Nairobi, Kenya)
  4. Upcoming: South African Biological Psychiatry Congress (November 2024, Cape Town, South Africa)​

Open opportunities

​​Contextually and culturally relevant neuroethical implications of research on neuropsychiatric conditions and neurotechnologies in Africa
Institution: Stellenbosch University – South Africa

Level: Masters
Supervisors: Dr O Matshabane, Prof S Seedat
Description: This project focuses on the neuroethical considerations for neuroscientific technologies (i.e., those used to assess the brain and nervous system functioning or to influence activity through modulation and stimulation) for neuropsychiatric conditions in Africa. The study will involve conventional scientists who have expertise in brain science, mental health clinicians, bioethicists, policymakers, and community engagement professionals as well as African people with neuropsychiatric conditions.  

Institution: Aga Khan University – Kenya

Level: Masters
Supervisors: Dr M Bitta, Dr O Matshabane

Description: The study will involve non-conventional practitioners – which includes traditional and faith-based healers, as well as African people with neuropsychiatric conditions.



​​Funders and Sponsors

african academy of sciences.png                             bill and melinda.png                                 samrc.png                               nih.png


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Latest news: Dr Matshabane participates as a member of the Ad Hoc Exert Group at UNESCO'S Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology and as a member of the Expert Advisory Group for UNICEF Neurotechnology and Children​