Shamiela Michaels is a 2016 ASRI Future Leaders Programme Fellow. She holds a Bachelors Degree in History and Political Studies from the University of the Western Cape. Throughout her studies, she has offered her services as a volunteer administrative assistant for a community based organization that assists the elderly. As an ASRI Future Leaders Fellow, Shamiela would like to enhance her research skills. Her research interests include employment creation, access to higher education for all and climate change. She also hopes to use the skills acquired during the 2016 ASRI Future Leaders Fellowship Program to positively contribute to civil society.