Jan-Bart Gewald, Professor of African History at the African Studies Centre Leiden, Leiden University, describes himself as a socio-cultural historian of southern Africa who attempts to write multi-species history with a strong interest in the everyday and the interconnectedness of things. Jan-Bart is fascinated by the impact of industrial technology in southern Africa, particularly in relation to geological exploration and mining. Throughout his years as an academic, Jan-Bart has been guided and accompanied in his work by a wide variety of non-human personalities, ranging from the late cats Cooking Fat, Kierkegaard, Ben Swart Gevaar Labuschagne, and Mister Frodo, as well as a large variety of birds, in particular storks, sparrows, ducks, and doves. He is looking forward to retirement and building a relationship with a Dachshund named Takkie.