Rujeko Samanthia Chidawanyika

Rujeko Samanthia Chidawanyika is a Research Associate in the Social Science Unit at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in Durban, South Africa. Her work focuses on social science and research ethics in global health, with an emphasis on understanding social contexts and behavioural patterns related to health interventions and cure-focused research. She is particularly interested in knowledge, perceptions and ethical considerations surrounding HIV cure research, and its implications for affected communities. She emphasises that progress in HIV cure research depends not only on scientific advances, but also on building trust, improving community understanding and ensuring meaningful engagement with those impacted by HIV. Her work is informed by social and behavioural science theories and frameworks.