Ifedapo Francis Awolowo

Dr Ifedapo Francis Awolowo is a multi-award-winning educator, scholar, author and higher education leader whose work spans forensic accounting, inclusive education and racial equity in higher education. He is a National Teaching Fellow (NTF) and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) – two of the UK's most significant recognitions of excellence and leadership in higher education teaching and learning.

A Senior Lecturer in Financial and Management Accounting at Sheffield Hallam University, Dr Awolowo holds seven degrees, including a PhD in Forensic Accounting, alongside professional designations including CFE, CPA, CMBE and FAIA. His research and publications span forensic accounting, audit failure, occupational fraud, mentorship, race and ethnicity, and equity in doctoral education.

Dr Awolowo is the lead of the Accomplished Study Programme in Research Excellence (ASPIRE), an OfS/UKRI-funded initiative supporting Black and mixed-Black scholars into doctoral education through personalised mentorship, research development and community. His work through ASPIRE has contributed to advancing conversations about racial equity, belonging and access to postgraduate research across UK higher education.

He is the author of Breaking Barriers to Doctoral Education: The ASPIRE Model for Mentorship and Racial Equity, which draws on the ASPIRE experience to demonstrate how intentional mentorship, belonging and institutional action can help address racial inequalities in doctoral education.

His contributions to education and higher education have received significant recognition, including a National Teaching Fellowship and an invitation to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2026.

A sought-after speaker and advocate for a more inclusive academy, Dr Awolowo has delivered keynote addresses, workshops and anti-racist education across the higher education sector. At the heart of his work is a simple conviction: talent is everywhere, but opportunity and belonging are not – and education has the power to change that.