Olasumbo Olaniyi is a trained architect, researcher, and spatial practitioner currently pursuing a fully funded Doctoral Degree in Architecture in the Justice and Imagination in Global Displacement (JIGD) Research Group at the University of Plymouth, focusing on Spatial Justice, Displacement, and Migration. She holds a MTech in Architectural Technology (University of Johannesburg, South Africa), PGDip in Urban Management (Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and BTech in Architecture (Federal University of Technology, Akure).

Olasumbo contributes as a third-year tutor in the HTCC 521 Module (History and Theory) within the Department of Architecture and serves as the postgraduate representative for the School of Arts, Design, and Architecture (ADA). Previously, she was a Research Assistant in the Arts/Health Group.

Before starting her doctoral studies, Olaniyi worked as a project manager, advisor, and researcher for global organizations like RUBANOffice, Nigeria and the African Futures Institute (AFI), Ghana, which are dedicated to creatively challenging and reshaping the African narrative. Committed to contributing to her local community, she also volunteered for the Cityzen4CleanAir campaign promoted by UrbanBetter and continues to contribute as a writer on their blog.

Presentations

• Alexandre Oliver, Ffion Middleton, Rania Saddiqe and Olasumbo Olaniyi. Presentation on "how to reduce inequalities with the support of real estate" at the inaugural MIPIM Challenger Conference (partly sponsored) by MIPIM, Cannes, France - 15th March 2024.
• “On your marks, get set, clean air” presentation at the Participatory Air Quality Improvement for Healthy People and climate-resilient public spaces in Lagos organised by Urban Better and the University of Lagos.
• “Surveillance and Other Civic Institutions” presentation an excerpt from the Masters' Project – “The People’s Control Room: Disrupting the Digital Panopticon” acknowledged in Huda Tayob (2021) Conversation Rooms: Critical Dialogues in Architectural History and Theory at the GSA, Johannesburg.

Speaking Invitations

• Panellist at REACH UP – Reclaiming the narrative during Black History Month, University of Plymouth, Student Union (UPSU).
• 'Females in Male Dominated Fields' by Hi-Impact 102.7 FM on the Impact Show.
• Panellist at So What About This (SWAT) Chat 4 by Global Plymouth on “Charting our Climate Future”.
• Promoting Inclusive Financing for Sustainable Cities - A Youth Climate Change Forum by International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI).
• “Can Public Transportation and NMT Address Climate Change and Air Quality” organized by Lagos Urban Development Initiative (LUDI).
• How Innovations in Technology and Storytelling Can Help Us Breakthrough - UN Foundation: Our Future Agenda Speaker: Spotlight Session 5 

Artistic features:

Fighting for clean air in Lagos - BBC Africa
Any, If, May: A text of two cities - A documentary on the implication of legislation on our cities (Sydney and Johannesburg) by Donna Marjan (A voiceover in Yoruba Language)
Trans Manifesto by the Graduate School of Architecture - An Inventory of Feminist Upheaval

• Royal African Society
• Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Associate Member
• Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA)
• Lagos Studies Association (LSA)

• architectural history and theory
• design research methods and,
• African Studies

Awarded Grants/Scholarships:

• School of Arts, Design and Architecture (ADA) PGR Support Fund - £200 Awarded.
• Faculty of Art, Humanities and Business (FoAHB) Studentship - University of Plymouth - Roughly £45,000 Awarded yearly for 3 years
• Orange Knowledge Program (OKP) Scholarship for PGDip - Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands - €10,000 Awarded
• Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture (FADA), University of Johannesburg Exchange programme with AURA Istanbul, Turkey - R10,920 Awarded – Emerged winner of the writing competition
• Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture (FADA), University of Johannesburg Student Bursary - R2,600 Awarded
• 2018 Merit Bursary Award (for accumulating above 70% in Bachelor’s Degree) - R10,970 Awarded

Online Features

• Challengers: steps forward feature by Property EU - 6th May 2024