Meet the Robbins-Ollivier Research Team

The Robbins-Ollivier Research Team at Western University leads a landmark initiative to cultivate a pro-Black academic ecosystem by centering Black scholarship, community engagement and institutional transformation. Supported by the Robbins-Ollivier Award and SSHRC funding, the project mobilizes Afrocentric methodologies and intersectional research to document and address the systemic barriers faced by Black students, faculty and staff. This work not only generates Western’s first comprehensive dataset on Black experiences at Western but also builds a coalition of Black scholars and practitioners committed to reshaping the university’s structures and culture through evidence-based, equity-driven practices.

To learn more about the Robbins-Olliver Research Team and SSHRC grant project, visit the following link

Godwin Arku

Godwin Arku

Principal Investigator

Teaching: Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Western University
Isola Ajiferuke

Isola Ajiferuke

Researcher

Teaching: Assistant Dean, Research, and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University
Melanie Katsivo

Melanie Katsivo

Researcher

Research Interests / Specializations: Associate Director (Programs and Partnerships) in The Africa Institute at Western University; International Partnerships Lead at Frugal Biomedical Innovations Program; Adjunct Research Professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Erica Lawson

Erica Lawson

Researcher

Teaching: Associate Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at Western University
Isaac  Luginaah

Isaac Luginaah

Researcher

Teaching: Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Western University
Immaculate Kizito Namukasa

Immaculate Kizito Namukasa

Researcher

Teaching: Professor and Associate Dean, Graduate Education - Curriculum Studies and Studies in Applied Linguistics at Western University
Nassisse Solomon

Nassisse Solomon

Researcher

Research Interests / Specializations: Educational Developer (International TAs) Center For Teaching and Learning (CTL)
Zakara  Stampp

Zakara Stampp

Robbins-Ollivier Project Coordinator

Research Interests / Specializations: PhD Candidate studying Geography and Environment with a specialization in Migration and Ethnic Relations at Western University
Thomas Tieku

Thomas Tieku

Researcher

Teaching: Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at King's University College
Ismahan Yusuf

Ismahan Yusuf

Researcher

Teaching: Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University