CONTRIBUTORS
Prof Maria Florence
Maria Florence is a Research Psychologist employed as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Western Cape. She completed her PhD at the University of the Western Cape, in the area of adolescent substance use and continues to conduct research in the area of substance abuse in low socioeconomic status communities in and around Cape Town, South Africa. Some of her more recent research includes child well-being research across Africa and internationally. She teaches in the area of Research Methodology, specifically Quantitative Methods with an emphasis on Instrument Development and Validation.
Mr Josh Murphy
Joshua Murphy is a recovery coach and public health specialist. He has lived in South Africa since 2010 primarily working in HIV/TB and health systems implementation research. He holds a BA in Psychology from Tufts University and a Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in the US. In 2019, Josh was awarded an NIH Fogarty Global Health Training Fellowship. His work includes utilisation of routine data, measuring adherence, improving ART retention and understanding long-term addiction recovery. Josh has co-authored peer-reviewed articles in Tropical Medicine & International Health, Journal of the International AIDS Society, PloS One, Globalization and Health and the Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two sons (Cole and Jordan), playing music/ultimate frisbee and personal growth.
Dr Breggie Smook
Breggie Smook is the director of Life Plan Consultancy, and registered Social Worker, program developer, trainer in Life skills, and therapist for people affected by substance use disorders (SUD). Her academic qualifications include: PhD. (SW) Titled ‘Substance abuse: a networking programme for employers and outpatient treatment centres (2014), SETA Accredited Assessment and Moderation certificates (2011 & 2016), USAID certificates in Data Quality, ME&R and Strategic Planning (2009), Motivational Interviewing and SBIRT (2020), and extensive experience and in-service training as therapist in SUD for SANCA (2009 -2019).
Please take note that the following presenters are correct at the time of publish but are subject to change.