Dr Olivia Matshabane: Neuroethicist – Department of Psychiatry at Stellenbosch University – Pioneer

This episode of Womanity celebrates Africa’s Women’s Day, which is commemorated annually on 31 July.

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr. Olivia Matshabane is a Neuroethicist and the Principal Investigator of the Africa Neuroethics Research Group in the SAMRC/SU Genomics of Brain Disorders Unit within the Department of Psychiatry at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Her groundbreaking work is helping to shape the ethical future of neuroscience, neuropsychiatric genomics and artificial intelligence across Africa.

Turning Exclusion into Purpose

Dr Matshabane shares the moment that transformed her career. While researching neuroethics, she realised there were virtually no African voices represented in the field. Rather than accepting this absence, she chose to become one of Africa’s first neuroethicists, creating opportunities for future generations of African researchers and ensuring that the continent has a voice in shaping global scientific debates. Her journey demonstrates how representation can inspire innovation, resilience and lasting change.

What Exactly is Neuroethics?

Although unfamiliar to many, neuroethics is becoming increasingly important in an AI-driven world. Dr Matshabane explains how the discipline explores questions such as:

How should brain technologies be developed and used responsibly?
Who owns our brain data?
How do we protect mental privacy?
Can technology influence our decisions without us realising it?
What ethical safeguards should exist as neuroscience and AI become more intertwined?

As technologies evolve rapidly, neuroethics is becoming essential for protecting human dignity, autonomy and privacy.

Why African Perspectives Matter

A key theme throughout our discussion is the importance of ensuring that Africa contributes to global conversations about science and technology.

Dr Matshabane explains that concepts such as privacy, consent and decision-making are often understood differently across cultures. Some cultures may place greater emphasis on families and communities rather than purely individual rights, meaning ethical frameworks developed for a different context cannot simply be applied without adaptation. Accessibility is another key issue to consider when trying to create technologies that genuinely serve diverse populations.

Building Ethical AI for Everyone

Artificial intelligence offers enormous potential for improving healthcare, diagnosis and treatment. However, it also raises significant ethical concerns, like

protecting sensitive mental health and neurological data;
preventing commercial misuse of brain information;
safeguarding cognitive liberty and freedom of thought;
ensuring responsible innovation; and
designing technologies that benefit society without reinforcing inequality.

Arguably ethics must develop alongside technological innovation, not afterwards

Research That is Changing Africa

Dr Matshabane has several research projects underway, and she highlights one in particular, a multi-million rand, multi-country neuroethics research programme spanning South Africa and Kenya. The project brings together researchers, communities and individuals living with neurological conditions to help shape ethical guidelines that reflect African realities. Beyond the research itself, the project is building a new generation of African neuroethicists through mentorship, collaboration and capacity development across more than twelve African countries.

The Power of Mentorship

Throughout her career, women mentors opened doors, challenged Dr Matshabane to believe in herself and encouraged her to pursue opportunities she may never have imagined. Today, she is committed to paying that support forward by mentoring students, nurturing future researchers and creating opportunities for emerging scholars. Mentorship is bi-directional; both mentees and mentors benefit from the relationship. You are never too young to mentor someone else.

Advice for Young Women Entering Science

For young women considering careers in psychology, neuroscience, AI or ethics, Dr Matshabane offers practical advice:

Build strong AI and digital literacy skills alongside ethics training.
Learn to work across disciplines and collaborate with people from different fields.
Understand Africa’s development priorities and align your work with solving real societal challenges.
Know your strengths, values, purpose, and what gives you a sense of meaning.
Protect your time by learning when to say “no.”

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