Dr Candice Groenewald is the chief research specialist in the Public Health Societies and Belonging division of the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2016). Candice specialises in interpersonal, phenomenological and mental health research associated with adolescent and family wellbeing, vulnerable populations and youth in adversity. She holds a wide array of methodological expertise with a keen interest in how meaningful engagements can be developed with young people through research to promote in-depth and applied understandings of the challenges and opportunities that exist for young people and their families.

Previous and current experience and special projects
Over the past 12 years, Dr Groenewald has been the principal investigator on 12 projects and has held senior investigator roles on seven research studies. Dr Groenewald is a principal investigator on an interdisciplinary participatory study that developed a mental health survey to examine the experiences of LGBTQI+ youth in South Africa. Focusing on youth in adversity, she is the principal investigator on an action research project that developed the first national policy on homelessness in South Africa in partnership with the academic sector, civil society and government decision-makers.

Publications and highly relevant or major achievements/positions
Dr Groenewald has published 36 scientific articles and book chapters in local and international peer-reviewed academic journals, 31 research reports, one book and is currently the lead editor of a book on addiction and family wellbeing. She has presented more than 50 papers and posters at local and international conferences.

Candice is also an honorary research associate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a module coordinator and lecturer as part of the South African Research Ethics Training Initiative master’s programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Dr Groenewald was a recipient of the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans under 35 award under the category of Health in 2019 for her work that explored family wellbeing within the context of youth addiction. She is a nationally rated scientist in Psychology with the National Research Foundation of South Africa.