Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Languages
Specialized Skills and Knowledge
Volunteer Experience
References
Timeline
Generic

Danielle Cessna Taylor

anthropologist
Melbourne,VIC

Summary

Highly motivated and adaptable anthropologist pursuing a PhD in Anthropology. Demonstrated expertise in ethnographic fieldwork in remote and high-risk areas, data analysis, and effectively presenting findings to diverse audiences. Possessing a decade of experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner

The Dusty Cat Company (Pty) Ltd.
08.2021 - Current
  • Day-to-day running, governance, strategy, managing finances, product development, marketing, legal and compliance, staff training and management.

Research Assistant

Global Dementia's Project Monash University
11.2022 - 01.2023
  • Data analysis and coding.
  • Reason for leaving: temporary position

Research Assistant

Safer Spaces Project Monash University
07.2022 - 11.2022
  • In-depth interview with women on safety, data analysis and coding, assistance in running co-design workshops.
  • Utilized advanced analytical software to analyze data sets.
  • Reason for leaving: temporary position

Teaching Assistant

Drug Cultures Anthropology Course
07.2022 - 11.2022
  • Teaching, tutoring, marking, lesson development and preparation, student liaison.
  • Reason for leaving: temporary position

Admin Assistant

Figment Manufacturing
10.2020 - 01.2021
  • Customer liaison, training of staff, post-production management and reports, inventory, and stores maintenance.
  • Reason for leaving: Resignation

Admin Assistant

Johlene Muir Properties
10.2019 - 05.2020
  • Customer liaison and management of property maintenance crew.
  • Reason for leaving: Temporary position

Sales Consultant

GNR Products
01.2012 - 01.2020
  • Customer liaison, day-to-day running of office, sales, and acquisition of new clients.
  • Created detailed sales presentations to communicate product features and market data.
  • Reason for leaving: company closed

Receptionist/Clinical Assistant

Boskruin Veterinary Clinic
10.2004 - 01.2019
  • Assistant practice manager, customer liaison, sales, inventory and orders, basic bookkeeping, training of new staff members, kennel hand and assistance in procedures.
  • Reason for leaving: Resignation

Assistant Manager and Field Guide

Heia Safari Ranch
03.2010 - 12.2014
  • Game drives; conservation and wildlife management; veterinary assistant; customer liaison and assistant to general manager.
  • Reason for leaving: company closed

Education

Ph.D. - Anthropology

Monash University
Melbourne, VIC
04.2025

Master of Arts - Anthropology

University of The Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
11.2020

Honours - Anthropology

University of The Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
11.2017

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology

University of The Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
11.2016

Skills

  • Ethnographic fieldwork
  • Analytical reasoning
  • Conflict resolution and problem-solving
  • Research design and planning
  • Oral and written communication
  • Leadership
  • Critical thinking
  • Report writing
  • Cross-cultural communication
  • Collaboration
  • Adaptability
  • Data analysis and coding

Personal Information

  • ID Number: 930205004****
  • Place of Birth: South Africa
  • Dependents: None
  • Date of Birth: 05/02/1993
  • Gender: Female
  • Driving License: Code 8 (manual) / A1
  • Marital Status: Single

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Afrikaans
Native or Bilingual
isiZulu
Native or Bilingual
isiXhosa
Native or Bilingual
Sesotho
Native or Bilingual
Setswana
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
French
Limited Working

Specialized Skills and Knowledge

Basic I.T. Troubleshooting (Windows)


MS Office - Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, PAS, SPSS, NVivo, Open Office - Base, Draw, Math, Calc, Impress, Writer.


Specialised Programs – Gephi, UCINET, SocNetV, ArcGIS, Google Analytics, Syft, Tableau, Sage.


First Aid

Level 1-3 - Covers scenarios from poisoning to childbirth. Also includes knowledge of CPR, choking and basic injury management.

Volunteer Experience

RescueWorx

RescueWorx provides skills and employment for homeless people through environmental management-focused initiatives.

  • Advocates and implements pilot projects for the development of programs that improve the health, social and economic contexts of people in the community, through and by the community, while encouraging and involving communities in animal welfare and environmental initiatives.
  • Works with professional and local fishermen to promote sustainable fishing practices and employment for underprivileged youth from diverse backgrounds in the Eastern Cape.
  • Conducts outreach work to improve accessibility to health and veterinary care in rural and remote areas.
  • Conflict resolution and mediation between local communities, landowners, government and law enforcement.
  • Protection of the rights of local communities especially disenfranchised, marginalised and vulnerable groups, while encouraging sustainable development opportunities.


Climate Reality Project

The Climate Reality Project is an initiative aimed at educating and mitigating the effects of climate change through various projects and seminars.

  • Works with local charities and government institutions to promote context-based policy development.


Johannesburg Subunit for Displaced Persons

The Subunit for Displaced Persons is a government initiative to assist homeless and displaced people.

  • Assists homeless/displaced people with getting off the street through family reunification and social reintegration programs.

References

A/Prof Narelle Warren

Monash University, Australia

narelle.warren@monash.edu


Professor Lenore Manderson

University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Lenore.manderson@wits.ac.za


Michelle Quirk

Boskruin Veterinary Clinic, South Africa

(+27) 76 791 1370


Ivan DuPlooy

Johlene Muir Properties/Heia Safari, South Africa

(+27) 83 998 8202


Chemone Roos

Figment Manufacturing

(+27) 84 277 0999


Rynier Adriaan Du Plessis

Fisherman – Fishing and Youth Initiative, South Africa

(+27) 83 305 8225

Timeline

Research Assistant

Global Dementia's Project Monash University
11.2022 - 01.2023

Research Assistant

Safer Spaces Project Monash University
07.2022 - 11.2022

Teaching Assistant

Drug Cultures Anthropology Course
07.2022 - 11.2022

Owner

The Dusty Cat Company (Pty) Ltd.
08.2021 - Current

Admin Assistant

Figment Manufacturing
10.2020 - 01.2021

Admin Assistant

Johlene Muir Properties
10.2019 - 05.2020

Sales Consultant

GNR Products
01.2012 - 01.2020

Assistant Manager and Field Guide

Heia Safari Ranch
03.2010 - 12.2014

Receptionist/Clinical Assistant

Boskruin Veterinary Clinic
10.2004 - 01.2019

Ph.D. - Anthropology

Monash University

Master of Arts - Anthropology

University of The Witwatersrand

Honours - Anthropology

University of The Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology

University of The Witwatersrand
Danielle Cessna Tayloranthropologist