Dr. Thebeth Rufaro Masunda

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Community and Development (Honours), Master of Development Studies and PhD in Development Studies from University of KwaZulu Natal (KZN).

Academic Appointments:

Lecturer

Research Interests:

Socio-economic welfare of marginalised group, Migration and family Studies, Poverty and Inequality, Gender and Social Development

Faculty: Social And Behavioural Sciences

Department: Community and Social Development

Research Category: Behavioral Sciences

Biography:

Dr. Thebeth, Rufaro Masunda is the chairperson and a Full-Time Lecturer in the Department of Community and Social Development at the University of Zimbabwe. She holds a Bachelor of Community and Development (Honours), Master of Development Studies and PhD in Development Studies from University of KwaZulu Natal (KZN). She is the Programme Coordinator for the BSc Social Innovation and BSc Smart Technology Applications degree programme, as well as the University Wide Digital Skills and Student Life Skills modules. Her research interests are in Migration and Family Studies, Social and Economic Development, Education and Development. As an academic, development practitioner and researcher she does research in socio-economic welfare of the marginalised groups in society. She has conducted extensive research on migration between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Most her research focused on the effects of migration on migrants and their family members during the migration period. Her studies also investigated remittance transfers and transnational lives of migrants. Dr Masunda’s research interests are in social innovation, family studies, poverty and inequality and the education and development nexus. Dr Masunda as Editorial Member for the UZ PRESS, FIIB Business Review, Journal of Public Policy in Africa (JOPPA), as well as an External Examiner of PhD dissertations at the Women’s University.

Email: tmasunda@sociol.uz.ac.zw

Phone: +263 775789347

Publications:

Journal Articles

1. Nzvere, C., Chirubvu, L., & Masunda, T. (2024). Environmental literacy, the key to sustainable conservation of wetlands in urban areas. Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Journal, 8(1), 59-74.

2. Musukutwa, A., Masunda, T. R., & Chiweshe, M. K. (2024). Succession Planning in International Humanitarian Organisations in South Sudan. Kuveza neKuumba: The Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University Journal of Design, Innovative Thinking and Practice, 3(1&2), 102-126.

3. Masunda, T. R., & Maharaj, P. (2023). Remittance flow and familial relations in the face of COVID-19 pandemic: Rethinking social ties during the migration period. In Migrant Traders in South Africa (pp. 131-157). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

4. MusukutwA, A., Masunda, T. R., & Chiweshe, M. K. (2023). Talent identification and acquisition in international humanitarian organisations: The case of the international federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in south Sudan.Futures:The Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University Journal of Leadership, Governance and Development, 2 (1&2), 69-87.

5. Chirisa, I., Mavhima, B., Nyevera, T., Chigudu, A., Makochekanwa, A., Matai, J., ... & Mundau, L. (2021). The impact and implications of COVID-19: Reflections on the Zimbabwean society. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 4(1), 100183.

6. Chirisa, I., Mavhima, B., Nyevera, T., Chigudu, A., Makochekanwa, A., Matai, J., ... & Mundau, L. (2021). The impact and implications of COVID-19: Reflections on the Zimbabwean society. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 4(1), 100183.

Book Chapters

1. Masunda, T. R., & Maharaj, P. (2021). Childcare and Familial Relations During the Migration Period. In I. Chirisa & A. Chigudu (Eds.). Resilience and Sustainability in Urban Africa: Context, Facets and Alternatives in Zimbabwe (pp. 131-146). Springer Singapore

2. Masunda, T. R., & Maharaj, P. (2021). Childcare and Familial Relations During the Migration Period. In I. Chirisa & A. Chigudu (Eds.). Resilience and Sustainability in Urban Africa: Context, Facets and Alternatives in Zimbabwe(pp. 131-146). Springer Nature Link