£2.2m Leverhulme Award for School of Architecture

The University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture has been awarded a £2.2m 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 Professor Taibat Lawanson join the School of Architecture from the University of Lagos, Nigeria as the Leverhulme International Professor in Urbanism. Professor Lawanson will work with the Head of Architecture, Professor Ola Uduku, to establish the research Lab from this September.

[caption id="attachment_121605" align="alignnone" width="402"] Professor Taibat Lawanson[/caption]

The transnational Lab, based at the University of Liverpool, will involve international research activities including the establishment of a Masters 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 aim of the Lab is to respond specifically to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 (no poverty), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 13 (climate action).

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

“We’re delighted to welcome Professor Lawanson to Liverpool from Lagos 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, Professor Taibat 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 of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Professor Ola Uduku, Head of the School of Architecture at the University of Liverpool said: “This funding award is a fantastic step for the School, building upon our already well-established research specialisms in the Architecture, Heritage and Urbanism in West Africa (AHUWA) research cluster.

“I look forward to working with Professor Lawanson to develop our new Masters Programme and our research links with Nigeria and across West Africa.”