[2] She studied anthropology at the University of Cape Town, graduating with a bachelor's and an honours degree.
[2] Having been awarded a scholarship, she studied international development at Clark University in Massachusetts, United States: she graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1986.
[2] Also with a scholarship, she studied anthropology at Emory University in Georgia, United States, graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 2004:[2] her doctoral thesis concerned gendered roles in the Manenberg Township of Cape Town, South Africa.
[1][4] From 2013, until her death in 2016, she was an associate professor in political science, international relations, and women & gender studies at the University of Delaware.
[2][3] Her research and teaching also extended to water politics, women's movements, and the anthropology of gender and sexuality.