ABOUT US
People First. Data Driven. Impact Focused.
Data Central is a proudly South African, 100% female-owned social science consultancy based in Johannesburg. Founded and led by Dr Tiffany Henshall, a respected social scientist with over 15 years of experience across Southern Africa, we exist to bridge the gap between rigorous research and real-world impact.
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We’re passionate about people, driven by data, and committed to building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future. At Data Central, we believe that sound research—applied with integrity and heart—has the power to transform communities, strengthen businesses, and shift entire sectors toward meaningful change.
WHAT WE DO
We work at the intersection of:
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Social development
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Gender equity
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Human rights
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Community engagement
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Environmental and heritage protection
With a strong track record in the mining, infrastructure, and development sectors, we partner with private companies, government bodies, development agencies, and non-profits seeking more than just compliance—they’re seeking impact.
HOW WE WORK
We don’t just work for communities—we work with them. Every project is co-created, context-sensitive, and rooted in trust. We treat all stakeholders—corporate leaders, civil society actors, and rural households alike—as knowledge holders and collaborators.
Our interdisciplinary and agile team includes gender specialists, anthropologists, data scientists, educators, and field facilitators. Whether we’re drafting a gender policy, conducting stakeholder interviews, or designing a monitoring dashboard, we turn every insight into action.
Our work is guided by global best practices—like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the IFC Performance Standards—but always adapted for local relevance and long-term benefit.
WHY CHOOSE US
What sets Data Central apart is our:
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People-first design approach
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Commitment to equity, ethics, and cultural respect
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Smart use of data to create actionable solutions
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Track record of impact-driven partnerships
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Focus on building local capacity for sustainable change
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We believe in listening, learning, and designing with integrity—so that solutions continue to deliver impact long after a project ends.
VISION
To be a leading force in shaping a more just, inclusive, and sustainable Africa—where communities are heard, human rights are protected, and development is driven by evidence, ethics, and equity.
MISSION
To bridge the gap between research and real-world impact by delivering people-centred, data-driven solutions that uplift communities, strengthen businesses, and influence policy.
We do this by:
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Applying rigorous social science to complex ESG and development challenges
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Co-creating meaningful, lasting change with stakeholders at every level
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Embedding gender equity, human rights, and cultural respect in all we do
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Using smart data tools to transform insight into action
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Building local capacity for solutions that live beyond the project
Partners in Change
At Data Central, we’re more than consultants—we’re collaborators in impact. Whether you're aiming to strengthen your social licence to operate, develop inclusive policies, or improve your ground-level impact, we're here to help you do it with integrity, clarity, and care.