Dr. Heide Hackmann joined the University of Stellenbosch on 1 July 2024, as the Chair in Science Futures within the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology. She was appointed as the Director of CREST on the 1st of November 2025. She holds an MPhil in Contemporary Social Theory from the University of Cambridge in the UK and a PhD in Science and Technology Studies from the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

Dr Hackmann’s career includes more than 20 years of international experience in science and technology policy, global science strategy and systems development, and international science advice and diplomacy. Before joining the University of Stellenbosch she served as Director of Future Africa at the University of Pretoria in South Africa (2022-2024); as the founding CEO of the International Science Council in Paris (2018-2022); and as Executive Director of the Council’s two predecessor organizations, the International Council for Science (2015-2018) and the International Social Science Council (2007-2015).

Dr Hackmann serves as an advisor to the United Nations and remains active on the boards of numerous international scientific organisations and initiatives. She is a Fellow of the International Science Council, and a member of the Council’s Global Sustainability Commission, as well as its national governing committee in South Africa.