academic | researcher | writer | interviewer | certified coach | Board member | consultant | race equality reviewer

Having over twenty years experience in the Higher Education sector at institutions, such as Goldsmiths College; University of Sussex; University of Westminster; University of East London and Kings’ College, Middlesex University Dr. Yaz Iyabo Osho has a wealth of knowledge and experience of Higher Education and university students. With this experience comes a deep understanding of widening participation, EDI strategies, teaching and learning approaches and techniques to engage diverse learners.

Yaz is Principal Lecturer and Director of Academic Professional Development at the University of Westminster, leading on the strategic direction of academic professional development at the university.

Yaz has most recently taught in the areas of entrepreneurship; ethnic enterprise; employability; social enterprise; sustainability and business research methods.

She has previous experience in lecturing in the areas of ‘race’ and ethnicity; the politics of education and access; sociology; media and cultural studies; communication studies; employability; cultures of work and business management.

Her research interests include examining institutional, teaching and pastoral strategies to address the awarding gap; the politics of widening participation in Higher Education; racially minoritised entrepreneurship; the qualitative experiences of Black students in Higher Education and the experiences of Black academics in the digital sphere.

She has been awarded the position of Senior School Visiting Fellow at the University of Sussex and held a post-doctorate position at Kings College, London which culminated in the publication of a influential report sponsored by the National Lottery titled: Beyond Performance: A Cultural Enquiry into Major Events and Culture.

In addition to her academic background, she is an experienced, driven and highly analytical writer, researcher and interviewer, with a strong track record in FMCG, digital, Government, media, social, business and hospitality research. Having worked as an account manager on behalf of high-profile clients, such as Reckitt Benckiser, IHG Hotels and Marie Curie, where she cultivated respected expertise in qualitative research and research design. She also has a strong charitable portfolio working pro-bono as a social media manager and blogger for TEDx Brixton and NCT.

Yaz is currently organising the first Holding Space Conference for Black academics, which will be held at the University of Westminster in January 2025. To find out about the conference click here.

Yaz is founder of Global Ethnic Majority Women in Academia Support Network (GEMWA) and Black Academic Consultancy (BAC).