BU Research Blog

Bournemouth University (BU), in partnership with the University of Port Harcourt (UPH) in Nigeria, is leading a transformative project to address gender disparities in higher education institutions (HEIs). Funded through the British Council’s Gender Equality Partnerships Grant, with a project value of £24,869.20, this initiative seeks to foster inclusivity and tackle systemic barriers such as underrepresentation of women in leadership and STEM disciplines, work-life balance challenges, and limited access to opportunities.

The project is led by Dr. Anthony Ezenwa (Bournemouth University) as the Principal Investigator, with Professor Huoma Worlu (UPH) leading the partner institution team and Professor Olufemi M. Adesope (UPH) serving as the Project Manager. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines surveys, focus groups, interviews, and institutional analysis to identify gender disparities and co-create actionable policies. Capacity-building training sessions will empower faculty, staff, and students to promote gender sensitivity, inclusive leadership, and advocacy within their academic and professional spaces.

As Dr. Anthony Ezenwa and Team reflect, “This initiative provides an opportunity to close critical gaps in leadership, STEM participation, and institutional inclusivity while driving meaningful, scalable change for HEIs in the Global South.”

The project, expected to run until December 2025, will deliver a robust Gender Equality Policy, pilot implementation frameworks, and practical recommendations to improve gender equity in UPH. The findings aim to inform similar HEIs in developing societies globally, offering a replicable model to advance gender inclusivity in higher education.

Stay tuned for updates on this collaborative effort as we progress towards a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.