Dr. Olushola Kolawole

Biography

I am known as Dr. OAK; I hold a PhD in Operations and Information Management from the University of Bradford. I am a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) and an experienced lecturer in the Department of Business Analytics, Circular Economy, and Entrepreneurship (BACE) at the University of Bradford.

I teach logistics and supply chain management, Humanitarian logistics, Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics modules in my current role. I am currently the Programme Leader for MBA, Senior Leader Apprenticeship. I often shared my extensive knowledge and industry insights with my undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Before my current position, I was a lecturer at several prestigious institutions, including Teesside University, Middlesbrough, Royal Holloway University of London, and New University London, where I contributed significantly to curriculum development and student mentorship.

My academic experience is complemented by my role as an Academic Adviser to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK. I provide strategic support to scholars pursuing advanced studies. I have published in some high-impact journals and currently lead two funded projects with the British Council and the National Lottery community project.

Beyond my academia experience, I am passionate and dedicated entrepreneur, I currently lead two successful social enterprises within the minority ethnic communities in Yorkshire. I am the founder and driving force behind the African Business Association-Yorkshire (ABA) and OAK Initiative UK CIC. The ABA, which boasts a membership of over 1,000 businesses across the region, focuses on empowering minority-owned startups and established enterprises. Through strategic partnerships with government bodies such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, local councils, and corporate stakeholders, the ABA has facilitated numerous capacity-building initiatives. Since 2023, the organization has successfully hosted more than 15 major business networking and empowerment events across West Yorkshire, each attracting a minimum of 100 attendees.

Through the OAK Initiative UK CIC, I have further demonstrated my commitment to cultural engagement and social cohesion. I am also the pioneer of the highly successful Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) which was launched in July 2024, drawing an impressive attendance of over 5,000 participants both directly and indirectly.

I have led many other successful funding projects such as British Council, National Lottery and Community related projects. 

Research

1. Humanitarians Supply Chain/logistics 
2. Circular Economy/Sustainability
3. Food waste and loss reduction
4. Supply chain management relationship
5. Double-loop learning as a problem-solving technique
6. Lean, and Lean Six Sigma (LSS)
7. Procurement
8. Supply Chain Strategies
9. Application of Artificial Intelligence in supply chain management field
10. Risks and Project Management

Teaching

I teach Supply Chain Management Courses, Circular Economy, Big Data module, Artificial Intelligence, Research methods and other business modules

Publications