Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi is an Honorary Research Fellow (Associate Professor) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences in South Africa. He holds a BSc Honours in Crop Science from the University of Zimbabwe, and an MSc and PhD in Crop Science from University of KwaZulu-Natal’s with specialisation in crop ecophysiology (plant-water relations) and crop-climate modelling. His primary goal is to work on research and development that is dynamic, transformative, informs policy and achieves real life impacts within poor communities. His research has evolved from focusing on crop water use and crop modelling to multi- and transdisciplinary research covering food systems, global environmental change and the water-energy food nexus. He is interested in working with multidisciplinary teams to conduct research and development related to global grand challenges such as food and nutrition insecurity, climate change and the WEF nexus. He is also interested in research translation, i.e. the application of research outcomes into practice on the ground to achieve real life impact. In that regard, he is very closely linked with multiple policy stakeholders in South Africa at various levels (national, provincial and local) and regularly contributes to evidence-based policy making.