Lea Esterhuizen

Lea Esterhuizen has a diverse and extensive work experience. Lea founded &Wider in 2013, where they held multiple roles including Founder, Founder and CEO, and Social Researcher and Methodologist. At &Wider, Lea focused on developing tools to enable better sharing of information using IVR and mobile technology. Lea also conducted research to gather better information from a wider sample at a lower cost.

Prior to that, Lea worked as a Consultant at Save the Children Sweden in Beirut from 2009 to 2011. In this role, they designed, trained, and supported research across multiple countries in the MENA region. Lea also developed and piloted a new research methodology that allows teenagers to gather qualitative and quantitative evidence from children and young adults.

From 2007 to 2009, Lea served as the Director of Research at UnLtd, where they developed a stronger research capacity to measure the impact of the foundation's supported social entrepreneurs. Lea established a new research agenda, conducted evaluations of grant-making programs, and built a research team and internship program.

Lea was also a Co-founder of Most Mira, a charity in Prijedor, Northern Bosnia, from 2005 to 2008. The charity aimed to engage young people and bridge unresolved tensions through creative collaboration and arts festivals. The Most Mira International Youth Centre is currently being built.

Lea'swork experience also includes being a Consultant in social research methodology at ICAR, the Information Centre on Asylum and Refugees, from 2001 to 2006. During this time, they focused on research evaluation, methodological training, and research design for NGOs supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Lea also authored a manual on doing case studies for the refugee sector.

Lea briefly worked as a Lecturer on Human Rights at the University of London in 2004, where they taught humanities aspects of human rights. Prior to that, they participated in the EduTrain program at Unisys in 1989.

Overall, Lea Esterhuizen has a wide range of experience in founding and leading organizations, conducting research, supporting social entrepreneurs, and working in the humanitarian sector.

Lea Esterhuizen's education history begins with their primary education at Bryanston Primary, which they attended from 1979 to 1985. Lea then attended St Marys High School from 1986 to 1990.

After completing high school, Lea pursued a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences at the University of Cape Town from 1992 to 1994. Lea subsequently continued their education at the same institution, earning an Honours degree in Political Science and Government from 1995 to 1996.

To further specialize their knowledge, Lea pursued a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at Stellenbosch University from 1997 to 1999, focusing on Social Sciences.

Lea's academic journey culminated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Royal Holloway, University of London. Lea completed their PhD in Social and Political Science from 2000 to 2005.

Overall, Lea Esterhuizen has acquired extensive education in various domains, ranging from the social and political sciences to specialized fields of study.