Shepherd is a researcher who cuts across a spectrum of disciplines including sexual AND gender-based violence (SGBV), women and children’s rights, social protection, basic education, and local government. He is passionate about empowering young people and women with skills and knowledge to stand up against any form of abuse. He has over 9 years of research experience using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Shepherd holds a PhD and Masters degree in Public Administration and Bachelor of Social Science, all from the University of Fort Hare. Dr Shepherd has a mixed work experience sprouting from higher education, basic education, private sector and NGO fields. He has worked as a tutor coordinator, gender advocate, research mentor and research assistant on various projected funded by National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) at the University of Fort Hare, business analyst at Nihka Technology Group and research analyst in the Eastern Cape Department of Education where he was the chairperson for ECDoE Research Ethics Committee, policy developer, and reviewer. Dr Shepherd enjoys multidisciplinary writing and publishing of articles and book chapters. He is also a reviewer for a journal articles, e.g. Africa Renaissance Journal and the Asian Journal of Economics, Business & Accounting, and he is a special member of the Institute for Local Government Management of South Africa.