Damien du Preez


Stellenbosch, South Africa

Photo of Damien du Preez

Research: As a Research Coordinator with the Centre for Research on Democracy (CREDO), I'm the initiator and co-chair of the Citizens' Assembly Working Group, the first such research initiative on the African continent. Since joining CREDO in 2021, I've helped grow the centre's reputation and impact as an international research institution. My research focus includes both a theoretical and empirical interest in the topics of democratic innovation, democracy and the climate crisis, self-governance and democracy beyond the state, global governance, and radical politics. 


Public Work: Uniting much of what I do is a desire to understand and engage with the world, as well as a fascination with how we might create a better one for ourselves and future generations. A natural offshoot of this is Bright Skies, a radical intellectual project exploring ideas for a better world. I sometimes write op-eds and think pieces on the topics of my research.


Education: I hold a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Stellenbosch University, which included a fully-funded academic exchange at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In late 2024, I hope to begin Master's studies in Germany.