Don joins UK varsity on £2.2m Leverhulme grant for heritage, coastal urbanism research

The University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture has been awarded a £2.2 million Leverhulme International Professorship grant from the Leverhulme Trust to establish a research centre, which investigates the effects of climate change on the West African Coast.

The £2.2m grant, awarded by over five years, will involve the establishment of an international heritage and coastal urbanism research Lab. The lab will investigate the dual threat of rapid globalisation and climate change on cities in West Africa and how these threats are affecting cultural heritage and the socio-economic livelihoods of the most vulnerable in this region.

The prestigious award will see Prof Taibat Lawanson join the School of Architecture from the University of Lagos, as the Leverhulme International Professor in Urbanism. Lawanson will work with the Head of Architecture, Prof Ola Uduku, to establish the Research Lab.

The transnational Lab, based at the University of Liverpool, will involve international research activities including the establishment of a master’s programme in Global Urbanism and Heritage. This programme will initially focus on West Africa and have direct collaborative links with the University of Lagos.

Over five years, the Lab aims to respond specifically to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals one (no poverty), eight (decent work and economic growth), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 13 (climate action).

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Impact at the University of Liverpool, Prof Anthony Hollander, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of the University of Liverpool’s strategy 2031 and that’s why I’m pleased that we have this opportunity to develop partnerships in Nigeria with the potential to create positive change.

“We’re delighted to welcome Lawanson to Liverpool and I’m sure that her appointment and the work of the research Lab will help strengthen links between two great coastal cities.”

Speaking on her appointment, Lawanson said: “It’s an honour to have been selected as the Leverhulme International Professor in Urbanism in the University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture. I’m looking forward to getting started and joining a prestigious community of scholars to focus on delivering the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Uduku, Head of the School of Architecture at the University of Liverpool said: “This funding award is a step for the school, building upon our already well-established research specialism in the Architecture, Heritage and Urbanism in West Africa (AHUWA) research cluster. I look forward to working with Lawanson to develop our new master’s programme and our research links with Nigeria and across West Africa.”

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