Derick Blaauw is a professor in the School of Economic Sciences at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Prior to joining the NWU, he lectured in economics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the Soweto and Bloemfontein Campuses of Vista University. Prof Blaauw’s research interests and experience largely lie in labour and development economics. His current work focuses on the socio-economic dynamics of vulnerable groups in the informal economy, such as car guards, day labourers and waste pickers.

Prof Blaauw has an extensive list of publications in accredited national and international journals to his credit, and he has presented many conference and research papers at local and international forums.