Dr. Sharon Hofisi | law | Academic Excellence Recognition Award

Dr. Sharon Hofisi, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

Dr. Sharon Hofisi is an accomplished international legal scholar, human rights advocate, and educator with a notable academic and professional footprint across Africa and Europe. A Zimbabwean national born in Gutu, he has built a diverse career in law, governance, and international relations, contributing significantly through research, teaching, litigation, and policy work. With a PhD in Law from the University of Pretoria, he specializes in international law, human rights, and transitional justice. His academic journey has taken him to institutions like Åbo Akademi University in Finland and the University of Zimbabwe, where he taught and supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate research. Dr. Hofisi has worked with major legal and policy institutions, including ZLHR, Chirorwe & Partners, and the Ministry of Justice. An editor, reviewer, and consultant, he combines legal expertise with academic innovation, guided by Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 Philosophy—fostering teaching, research, and community impact.

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🎓 EDUCATION

Dr. Sharon Hofisi’s educational background reflects academic excellence and international exposure. He earned his PhD in Law from the University of Pretoria, specializing in transformative transitional justice and international law. He holds an LLM in International Law and Human Rights with distinction from Åbo Akademi University, Finland, and a Master of Science in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe. His foundational legal education was established with an LLBS (Honours) from the same institution. In line with his pedagogical ambitions, Dr. Hofisi is pursuing a Postgraduate Degree in Pedagogical Studies and an International Professional Teacher Degree at HAMK Häme University of Applied Sciences, Finland. Additional certifications from institutions such as UNCTAD, University of Turku, and Arrupe Jesuit University underscore his commitment to lifelong learning in specialized areas like child protection, economic rights, competition law, and work-life balance, further equipping him for impactful academic and legal roles globally.

💼 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dr. Hofisi’s professional journey spans legal practice, academia, and policy advocacy. He began as a Public Prosecutor for Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Justice in 2009, later practicing law at V. Nyemba & Associates. From 2015 to 2017, he served as Senior Projects Lawyer at Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), defending human rights defenders and contributing to shadow reporting and UPR processes. As Public Interest Litigation Lead at Chirorwe & Partners, he drove constitutional and human rights litigation. Simultaneously, Dr. Hofisi cultivated a robust academic career at the University of Zimbabwe (2015–2021), teaching diverse legal courses and supervising dozens of dissertations annually. He currently contributes to the Centre for Public Policy and Devolution and serves as an offshore consultant. Through this blend of legal advocacy, teaching, and research, he embodies a multidisciplinary approach to justice, drawing from real-world practice to inform classroom theory and scholarly analysis.

🏅 AWARDS AND HONORS

Dr. Sharon Hofisi has earned several prestigious awards and honors recognizing his scholarly excellence, global engagement, and academic impact. In 2022, he participated in job-shadowing under Dr. Kreutz at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA). A co-authored article of his was cited among India’s most impactful research by Indian Quarterly in 2021. His doctoral research was funded by the Canon Collins Legal and Educational Trust and the University of Pretoria, demonstrating his appeal to high-level funders. In 2019, he was awarded research stays in Finland through a Finnish Government scholarship. Earlier, his critical analysis of Trump’s domestic policy gained recognition from Prof. Krysten Rogers (USA) in 2017. These accolades reflect not just his intellectual capacity, but also his ability to influence academic discourse across continents. Dr. Hofisi continues to engage in editorial work, peer review, and institutional consulting, confirming his role as a thought leader in human rights and law.

🌍 RESEARCH FOCUS On Law

Dr. Hofisi’s research focus is anchored in international law, human rights, and transformative justice, with intersections in legal storytelling, social justice, and resilience scholarship. His doctoral work explored the role of soft and hard law in post-conflict societies, emphasizing transitional justice mechanisms. He leads the Zimbabwe report for the Global Access to Justice Project, advancing empirical understanding of legal access and barriers. His current interests extend into economic and social rights, mercantile and family law, and legal innovation within African contexts. Through contributions to international forums like Georgetown University and the University of Helsinki, Dr. Hofisi promotes legal reform and decolonization of knowledge. He has co-authored chapters on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and participated in policy dialogues with regional parliaments and human rights commissions. His transdisciplinary approach bridges law, policy, and pedagogy, aiming to create sustainable justice systems in both local and global contexts.

Noted Publications

• African move to withdraw from the ICC: Assessment of issues and implications
  R Chipaike, N Tshuma, S Hofisi
  India Quarterly 75 (3), 334-350
  2019

• The church and political transition in Zimbabwe: The inclusive government context
  L Mhandara, C Manyeruke, S Hofisi
  Journal of Public Administration and Governance 3 (1), 102-114
  2013

• Changing voting patterns, exertions on electoral legitimacy
  S Hofisi
  Journal of African Foreign Affairs 5 (3), 27-44
  2018

• The church and political transition in Zimbabwe: The inclusive government context
  S Hofisi, C Manyeruke, L Mhandara
  Journal of Political Administration and Governance 3 (1), 103-114
  2013

• Social Protection and burial societies in Zimbabwe during Covid-19
  S Hofisi
  ESR Review: Economic and Social Rights in South Africa 23 (1), 11-15
  2022

• Zimbabweans under Humpty Dumpty Economics
  S Hofisi, T Rubaya, B Bheka
  Journal of Economic Issues 1 (2), 1-7
  2022

• A micro-analysis of motivation of doctors at Parirenyatwa Referral Hospital in Zimbabwe
  S Hofisi, O Chingoiro
  African Journal of Governance and Public Leadership 1 (2), 29-43
  2021

• Towards transitional justice in Zimbabwe: the role of the national peace and Reconciliation Commission and Zimbabwe Human rights commission
  S Hofisi
  Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
  2020

• Military-assisted transition, constitutional order in Africa and transitional justice in Zimbabwe
  S Hofisi
  Journal of African Foreign Affairs 6 (2), 139-155
  2019

• The doctrine of constitutional avoidance as a nemesis to public interest and strategic impact litigation in Zimbabwe: Thesis, antithesis and synthesis
  S Hofisi
  2018