Open to opportunities

Tawonga McFadden

@tawongamcfadden

Message

I am a development economist and quantitative researcher specializing in data analysis and digital transformation.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek research-focused roles that use big data and rigorous methods, with opportunities to teach, consult, mentor, and influence policy through applied analysis.

I am a development economist and experienced researcher specializing in quantitative and qualitative methods across social sciences, public health, business and economics. I deliver training and mentoring, design surveys and statistical models, and am proficient in Stata, RStudio, Python, SQL, SPSS, Excel and NVivo.

I consult on large-scale surveys, data curation and analysis, and have published book chapters and working papers on digital transformation and socioeconomic inclusion. I am completing PhD research on digital transformation using big data and large-scale surveys and continuously pursue applied data-science certifications to drive policy-relevant research.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Research Consultant

Current

Merlinee Consulting

Dec 2018 - Present (6 years 8 months)

Provided research consulting to academic and industry clients, including data curation, survey design and large-scale survey logistics; developed statistical models, authored reports, and trained research assistants in data collection and analysis.

Data Curation Survey Design Stata RStudio Python NVIVO Statistical Modeling Training

Lecturer and Trainer

Open Learning Group

Jan 2017 - Mar 2020 (3 years 2 months)

Delivered quantitative research and computer methods training and undergraduate economics lectures; developed training materials, led workshops and Excel demonstrations, and supervised final-year research design and analysis.

Quantitative Analysis Stata RStudio Python Excel Teaching Curriculum Development Research Design Data Analysis

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College (School of Development Studies)

Doctor of Philosophy, Development Studies

2024 -

Doctoral research on digital transformation and socioeconomic change using big data analytics and large-scale surveys in South Africa (research period 2024–2026).

University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College (School of Development Studies)

Master of Development Studies, Development Studies

2019 - 2021

Master of Development Studies by coursework with a thesis on digital transformation and its effects on socioeconomic outcomes in South Africa, completed 2019–2021.

Rujeko High School

General Certificate of Education A-Level, Accounting; Economics; Business Studies; Mathematics

Grade: Accounting (A); Business Studies (B); Economics (C); Mathematics (E)

Completed General Certificate of Education A-Level at Rujeko High School with coursework in accounting, economics, business studies, and mathematics.

IBM (Professional Certificate)

Professional Certificate (IBM Data Science), Data Science

2022 -

IBM Data Science Professional certificate covering Python, R, SQL, databases, data engineering, and machine learning, undertaken January–December 2022.

University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College

Bachelor of Social Science, Economics and Development Studies

2010 - 2012

Bachelor of Social Science in Economics and Development Studies covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative economics, and development topics, completed 2010–2012.