Trustee – Chair

Dr Simon Obendorf

Dr Simon Obendorf was born in Melbourne, Australia and currently teaches politics and international relations at the University of Lincoln. In addition to degrees in both law and in political science, he holds a PhD in international relations from the University of Melbourne. Simon’s academic work explores the ongoing impact of Western colonialism and imperialism in non-Western societies, in areas such as politics, society, gender, sexuality and development.

Simon brings to the Cheka Sana Foundation a critical focus on working in partnership with those affected by poverty, disempowerment and structures of inequality, to learning from and valuing local and indigenous experiences, knowledge systems and life-worlds, and to decolonising the development process. Of additional relevance to the Foundation is Simon’s expertise in the field of gender and sexuality rights, the empowerment of women and girls and the politics of sexual and reproductive health. Simon has taught at institutions in Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. He holds the citizenship of both the United Kingdom and Australia.