Bio’s

Professor Russell Hill Reader, Department of Anthropology,
Durham University, UK

Professor Hill’s main research interests are in the behavioural ecology of primates and other large mammals, with a primary goal of understanding the decisions animals make about their social and reproductive strategies. His research approaches combine field studies with theoretical analyses based on modelling. He runs the Primate and Predator Project, but he is based in the UK. He has previously managed other projects in South Africa based at De Hoop Nature Reserve and in the Kruger National Park. He holds a PhD in primate behavioural ecology from the University of Liverpool and an MPhil from Darwin College, University of Cambridge.

Abraham W de Klerk
AWCRC Director and Manager Campfornis Farm

With an academic background that has almost nothing to do with conservation but is armed with a passion for wildlife, Abraham (Braam) is the jack of all trades for the project and a commercial farmer in the Alldays area, and the Director of the AWCRC. He manages all things camp and maintenance related and serves as a general guide and host to all who join us!

Generally good-natured but also suspected of being a bit of a grumpy bugger. Mostly as a result of being in charge of vehicle maintenance and tires in a thorn-rich environment. There may or may not be plumbing-related causes as well but we are as yet unwilling to publish those results…

Dr. Rene de Klerk
AWCRC HR Manager and Leadership developer

René holds a B Com, LLB, LLM and PhD (Leadership) and has thirteen years experience as a researcher and lecturer at Akademia, the University of Pretoria and the University of South Africa, respectively. Her research has had a specific focus on corporate governance, sustainable development and responsible investment and more recently, she has concentrated on integrated reporting and its potential influence on investment decision making. She was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2006. She is an experienced researcher with first-class communication, organisational and analytical skills. She is passionate about seeing Masters and Doctoral students complete their studies and the education of future leaders in Africa.  

She also loves coffee, books, wine, food, cooking, late night conversations around a campfire and any kind walking or hiking. Married to Braam de Klerk for better or worse and the mother to many children and dogs.

Maria Beaumont
AWCRC Research Co-ordinator

Before taking on a managerial position Maria was the lead research assistant for the Lahala baboon troop that raid the local dump. She first came to AWCRC as a volunteer
research assistant and was then hired as a lead research
assistant to help Ph.D. student Rahman with his project. She has now been with us for almost four years and continues to gather data for the Lahala troop in the hopes of carrying out another study and creating a long-term study group. Maria also plays the role of Camp Co-ordinator and general manager for all things volunteer related!

We also suspect that she is a minor canine deity given the level of adoration the enjoys from dogs (And in one instance an animal we can only vaguely identify as a dog). Maria holds an undergraduate in Environment and Conservation Biology and a Master’s in Primate Conservation.