Mr Olufemi Adetunji

My heritage is not only my grounding but things the brought me comfort and peace. A concerted effort to preserve heritage is a vital link to cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational and economic legacies.

Olufemi Adetunji is a PhD candidate at School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Australia. Born in Nigeria and had bachelor and master degrees both in Architecture from Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria. Graduated with a First Class honours and as one of the top three students in bachelor and master degrees respectively. Olufemi practised as Conservation Architect for two years before joining FUTA as Research Assistant in 2012, to act out his interest in climate change and disaster challenges facing communities in Africa with a focus on cultural heritage. To further understand responses of African cities to climate change, Olufemi completed a certificate course on ‘Planning for Climate Change in African Cities’ from Erasmus University Rotterdam in 2017. Olufemi is an associate member of Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Australia ICOMOS, full member of ICOMOS Nigeria, a member of Youths in Conservation of Cultural Heritage (YOCOCU), project leader at University of Newcastle ENACTUS team, and the founding partner of NERD Multi-Concept (RC: 1473511).

Research Overview

Olufemi is undertaking doctoral research at the University of Newcastle, Australia focusing on climate change and related hazards affecting cultural heritage of communities to develop a participation framework that will involve actions and strategies that when implemented will help in mainstreaming, preparedness and adaptation planning within communities.

On the extension, innovation education of the community is the oil that lubricates the wheels of participation and engagement of the communities in the protection of cultural heritage and addressing climate change and other disasters.

Turning Research to Product (R2P)

As an ardent proponent of the positive impact of innovation and entrepreneurship in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form community to national scales,  Olufemi is collaborating with other young professionals to create a digital learning platform for knowledge creation and learning about cultural heritage, climate change and disasters for communities in Nigeria.

eDIRICA (Education through Innovation and Rethinking in Culture and Art), is a web and mobile-based eLearning application to reorientate people especially children and young people about culture and problems affecting the environment particularly climate change and disaster. The project addresses SDGs 1, 4 and 13 through improving access to and quality of education to the disadvantaged population in Nigeria particularly women and girls through the connection of cultural, and climate and disaster education. Users will learn about tangible and intangible aspects of Nigeria culture and their influence on people’s choice. Climate and disaster education offer knowledge on preparedness, adaptation and mitigation of climate change and disaster impacts. SDG 5 – Gender sensitive approach is expected to be employed where women and girls will have equal and fair representation amidst targeted communities. SDG 9 – women and youths will be trained on technological-based cultural innovation that will improve participation of women and youths in culture-based entrepreneurship.

The project improves empowerment of women and children living in poverty with holistic knowledge and skills to enable their inclusive participation in decision-making. Children will have access to culture, and climate and disaster education that is lacking in the current education curriculum. Cultural reorientation will help to end harmful cultural practices, improve inter-cultural communication and coordination for development activities. Through the project as well, the project will improve awareness, reduce exposure and vulnerability to climate change and disaster impacts. More women and girls will engage and values places of cultural significance. This will strengthens intercultural communication and unity to guide against communal violence in Nigeria. The project employs web and mobile-based tools that will respond to changes within society through regular reviews and updates. The platform is also adaptable to various context with/without minimal changes.

Maintaining our culture, values and traditions is beyond price. People without the knowledge of their past, origin and culture is like a tree with no root