is currently the convener of the African Studies Group (ASG), University of Melbourne, and is also a PhD candidate, and a Research Associate at the Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne. His PhD project examines the linkage politics of trade and environmental policy. Previously, Kennedy worked in public policy research and was also involved with international climate change diplomacy.

Franka is a PhD candidate in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Melbourne where she is researching diasporic Liberians claim for (formalised) identity back ‘home’ and how this claim is perceived by Liberians in-country. She the convener of the ASG and is also a sessional tutor for the Faculty of Arts at University of Melbourne. Franka is a critical development enthusiast with over 10 years of professional experience in policy and advocacy research, and project management, particularly in the field of digital open data, and open government.

Matthew Gmalifo Mabefam (PhD) is currently a tutor at the University of Melbourne, a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Postcolonial Studies and a Diaspora Fellow for African Research and Impact Network. His research focuses on the politics of international development, spirituality and development, political economy, migration and wellbeing. Matthew also engages in development consultancy, involved in community-led initiatives, and sits on the board of some Philanthropic organisations. He obtained his PhD in Anthropology and Development Studies from the University of Melbourne.

Charmaine Kinuthia is from Kenya and she completed her Master's degree in Development Studies in 2019.

Dr. Emmanuel Lohkoko Awoh holds a PhD from the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne. He is an active member of the African Studies Group and a former convener. Emmanuel's PhD research focused on the role of traditional authorities in conflict management and peace building in the North West of Cameroon. He serves as a sessional academic in a number of universities including the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and La Trobe University.

Simeon is a PhD candidate in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne. He is researching the role of the African Union in the transitional justice initiatives of its Member States, and has published on transformative reparations and structural socio-economic reform. He has been a member of the African Studies Group since his first year at the University of Melbourne.

Evariste is natural resources management specialist with a strong background in biodiversity conservation and environmental accounting. He has contributed to the Ecosystem Accounting framework recently adopted United Nations for its application in national statistics during its experimental phase in African countries. Evariste works with strong government partners such as the World Bank and others in the Policy arena. This includes the production of policy research papers in natural resource management. Working on those projects involving high government officials enhanced his political negotiation skills with a sound translation of research outcomes into different policy frameworks. Currently, Evariste is pursuing his PhD at the University of Melbourne in urban ecology, focusing on city biodiversity indicators.

Katy is a PhD candidate in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Her doctoral project investigates how British colonisation has shaped the changes and development of Chinese identity in Hong Kong at an individual-perceptual level. Apart from topics relating to (post)colonial politics, she has also published on LGBT studies. Her research interests are broad and she is now exploring the arenas of Africa-China relations and Chinese African diaspora.