Edson GANDIWA

Professor Edson Gandiwa is a Director General at the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks). Professor Gandiwa has over 20 years of experience in the fields of wildlife conservation and higher education. Previously, Professor Gandiwa served as Director Scientific Services at ZimParks (January 2021–January 2025); Associate Professor, Inaugural Executive Dean and Full Professor in the School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation at Chinhoyi University of Technology (May 2013–January 2021), Ecologist and Senior Ecologist based in Gonarezhou National Park (Chiredzi) at ZimParks (October 2004–April 2013).

Professor Gandiwa holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands (2013), a Master of Science Degree in Tropical Resource Ecology (with merit) from the University of Zimbabwe (2007), and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Environmental Science and Health (with first class) from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe (2004).He completed his Advanced Level education at Waddilove High School (Marondera, 1999), secondary school at Kuwadzana High (Banket, 1997) and primary school at Mhangura Mine Primary (Mhangura, 1993).

Professor Gandiwa has (co)authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications. His research interests include biodiversity and wildlife conservation, protected area management, community-based natural resource management, ecotourism and media framing of wildlife conservation. He is a recipient of several awards including a research award in the Environmental Sector from the Research Council of Zimbabwe (2017) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) Working Group Young Opinion Thesis Award for his PhD thesis titled - The Numbers Game in Wildlife Conservation: Changeability and framing of large mammal numbers in Zimbabwe (received in Bulgaria, 2015).