Dr Sola Adesola

PhD, FHEA, MRes, LLM, LLB (Hons)

Senior Lecturer in Business and Management

Oxford Brookes Business School

Role

Senior Lecturer in International Organisations & Law | EDI Lead

Teaching and supervision

Courses

Modules taught

Sola is the module leader for Managing International Organisations, a compulsory module of the Brookes MSc Management and MSc International Management and International Relations. She also leads an undergraduate module on Corporate and Business Law.

Corporate & Business Law
International Markets & Competition
Critical Enquiry Research Project
Managing International Organisations

International Buddy Roles:

Global Corporate and Business Law - Chengdu University of Technology
BSc in Accountancy

Supervision

6 PhD Completion; 5 PhD (ongoing)
MSc Dissertation Supervision
MBA Dissertation supervision

Research Students

Name	Thesis title	Completed
Anthony Ebow Spio	An exploration of women entrepreneurs’ competency development process in pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities in the manufacturing sector in Ghana	Active
Amina Mahmood Yakubu	Gender and Education: An Economic Analysis of Returns to Education in Nigeria	Active

Research

Sola's research interests cover areas of:

Entrepreneurship education, role model, entrepreneurial university
University-Industry Government interactions
Women spinouts and academic entrepreneurship
Energy policy & international business, energy education, stakeholder engagement
Business process improvement
Exploratory investigation into Women's spinouts and academic entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

Sola is a qualitative researcher with strong process-based approach to research and a keen interest for interdisciplinarity.

Research group membership

Research Centre for Business, Society and Global Challenges.
COSiNUS Network - Universities and Innovation
Member, Africa Academy of Management
BAM
Member, Academy of Africa Business Development (AABD)
Member, Academy of International Business SSA Chapter (membership in view)
Founding Co-Chair, Nigerian Enterprise Educators Network (NEEN)

Research grants and awards

SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH GRANTS

COSINUS -University-Industry- Government Conference 2018 (Co-Investigator). Funded by Brookes International Small Grant Scheme. 2017-2018. Grant Value: £3,754.00
Enterprise Education for Employability (Principal Investigator). Funded by British Council 2009 - 2011. Grant Value: £49,900. Duration: 18 months
European-Africa Student Entrepreneurship Competencies (Principal Investigator). Co-funded by Joint Brookes International Small Grant Scheme and Burgundy School of Business, Dijon, France. 2011-2012. Grant Value: £14.500

AWARDS

Nominated for Brookes People Award 2015 Individual Award for ‘Generosity of Spirit’, voted by staff
Award Winner 2014 ‘Outstanding Achiever in Education’ from the Nigeria UK Based Achiever’s Award
Award Winner of 2009 ‘Best of Nigeria Education Award’ from the Nigerian Achievers Award Institute
Certificate of Appreciation from Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE)

Research projects

5th International COSINUS 2018 Conference (Co-Organiser)- “Innovation Systems and the New Role of Universities Held 11-12 January 2018, Oxford Brookes University
European-Africa Student Entrepreneurship Competencies - Nigeria (Principal Investigator). Co-funded by Joint Brookes International Small Grant Scheme and Burgundy School of Business, Dijon, France. 2011-2012. Grant Value: £14.500
Enterprise education for employability in Nigeria (Principal Investigator). Funded by British Council, 2009 - 2011, Value: £49,900.
‘Insight into Africa Higher Education’ (Organiser) Africa Business Forum, Oxford Brookes University, May 2010, Oxford
Strategic positioning: an integrated decision process for manufacturers - (Research Fellow). Funded by EPSRC/IMRC, 2002-2005. Cranfield University
Coordinating the Human Performance Modelling research network (HPMNet). Funded by EPSRC/IMRC, 2002-2005. Cranfield University

Research impact

The knowledge generated by our research on enterprise education in Nigeria contributed to the establishment of the Nigerian Enterprise Education Network and the 1st Africa Enterprise Education Conference held in Lagos, Nigeria in 2013. The outcome of the Student entrepreneurship study led to a facebook page to monitor students' progress on their entrepreneurial journey. Two of the participants have since the study set up their food supply chain and fashion house businesses in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Further information

5th COSINUS CONFERENCE 2018 LINKS:

OBU Conference page

Facebook conference page

Work-Life Experiences

Diversifying the Curriculum: Knowledge Sources for Inclusive Learning

Centres and institutes

Projects

Exploring women participation in Nigerian Universities

Projects as Principal Investigator, or Lead Academic if project is led by another Institution

University spinouts: exploring women participation in the Nigerian Universities (01/04/2020 - 30/09/2022), funded by: British Academy, funding amount received by Brookes: £10,000

Publications

Journal articles

Adegbile AS, Ogundana OM, Adesola S, 'Gender-Based Policies and Women's Entrepreneurship: An fsQCA Analysis of sub-Saharan African Countries'
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research [online first] (2024)

ISSN: 1355-2554
Abstract Published here Open Access on RADAR
Datta S, Adesola S, 'Editorial, Special Issue: Meeting Global Challenges through University‐Industry‐Community‐Government (UICG) Interactions'
International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development 20 (3) (2021) pp.215-218

ISSN: 1474-2748 eISSN: 2040-0551
Published here
Lagoke O, Adesola S, Soname S, 'Social Network Analysis as a methodological tool to understand University-Industry Dynamism in enhancing HEIs curriculum - A case of Nigerian Oil Industry'
Studies in Higher Education 46 (11) (2020) pp.2417-2430

ISSN: 0307-5079 eISSN: 1470-174X
Abstract Published here Open Access on RADAR
Adesola S, den Outer B, Mueller S, 'New entrepreneurial worlds: can the use of role models in higher education inspire students? The case of Nigeria'
Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies 11 (4) (2019) pp.465-491

ISSN: 2053-4604 eISSN: 2053-4612
Abstract Published here Open Access on RADAR
Datta S, Adesola S, 'Special Issue: Universities in the Innovation Triad'
International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development 17 (3) (2018) pp.197-202

ISSN: 1474-2748 eISSN: 2040-0551
Published here Open Access on RADAR
Kolawole A, Adesola S, De Vita G, 'Factors that drive energy use in Africa: Panel Data evidence from selected SSA Countries'
OPEC Energy Review 41 (4) (2017) pp.364-380

ISSN: 1753-0229 eISSN: 1753-0237
Abstract Published here Open Access on RADAR
Somorin TO, Adesola S, Kolawole A, 'State-level assessment of the waste-to-energy potential (via incineration) of municipal solid wastes in Nigeria'
Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) pp.804-815

ISSN: 0959-6526 eISSN: 1879-1786
Abstract Published here Open Access on RADAR
Kolawole A, Adesola S, De Vita G, 'A Disaggregated Analysis of Energy Demand in Sub-Saharan Africa'
International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy 7 (2) (2017) pp.224-235

ISSN: 2146-4553
Abstract Open Access on RADAR
De Vita G, Lagoke O, Adesola S, 'Nigerian oil and gas industry local content development: A stakeholder analysis'
Public Policy and Administration 31 (1) (2015) pp.51-79

ISSN: 0952-0767 eISSN: 1749-4192
Abstract Published here
Baines, T. S; Adesola, S; Gwyn, K; and Higson, M., 'Strategic positioning: creating competitive space for manufacture'
Operations Management 31 (3) (2005)

ISSN: 1755-1501
Baines T, Kay G, Adesola S, Higson M, 'Strategic positioning: an integrated decision process for manufacturers'
International Journal of Operations & Production Management 25 (2005) pp.180-201

ISSN: 0144-3577
Abstract Published here
Adesola, S. and Baines, T. S, 'Developing and evaluating a methodology for business process improvement'
Business Process Management Journal (2005)

ISSN: 1463-7154
Published here

Books

Adesola S, Datta S, (ed.), Entrepreneurial Universities: Creating Institutional Innovation in Times of Turbulence, Palgrave Macmillan (2020)

ISBN: 9783030480127 eISBN: 9783030480134
Abstract Published here
Adesola S, Brennan F, (ed.), Energy in Africa: Policy, Management and Sustainability, Palgrave Macmillan (2018)

ISBN: 9783319913001 eISBN: 9783319913018
Abstract Published here
Baines, T, Adesola, S, Perryman, R, and Ellis, C., Methodology for process improvement: a practical guide., Wiley-Blackwell (2000)

Book chapters

Clark N, Adesola S, Alkali U, 'The Status of Innovation in Africa’s Development Strategy: Where should Science and Technology Fit in?' in Adesola S, Datta S (ed.), Entrepreneurial Universities: Creating Institutional Innovation in Times of Turbulence, Palgrave Macmillan (2020)

ISBN: 9783030480127 eISBN: 9783030480134
Abstract Published here Open Access on RADAR

Conference papers

Alkali U, Adesola S, 'Conceptualising the Roles of University-Industry-Government Interactions for Knowledge-Based Economy in Nigeria'
(2018)

ISBN: 9781999741242
Abstract Open Access on RADAR
Adesola S, Lagoke O, John I, 'The Role of Universities in Oil and Gas Education in Nigeria'
(2018)

ISBN: 9781999741242
Abstract Open Access on RADAR
John, I.J; Singh, P; and Adesola, S, 'Factors that Influence Entrepreneurial Intentions among Undergraduates of South-south and Southeast Nigeria'
(2014)

Published here

Other publications

Datta S, Adesola S, '5th COSINUS (Conference on Systems of Innovation and the New role of Universities) January 2018 Conference Theme:"University-Industry interactions in a time of turbulence - opportunities and challenges"', (2018)

Adesola, S; and Mier Iniguez, J, “Evaluating the state of Entrepreneurship in the Legal Profession”. Accepted for Presentation at the British Academy of Management Conference. September 2017
Kolawole, A; Adesola, S; and De Vita, G (2017) Modelling demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Africa: current dynamics from selected Sub-Sahara African Countries. Presented at the SIBR 2017 Kuala Lumpur Conference on Interdisciplinary Business & Economics Research, Feb 2017, Malaysia.
Kolawole, A; Adesola, S; and De Vita, G (2016) An Empirical Analysis of Electricity Demand in Sub-Sahara Africa. Published in the Conference Proceedings of the British Institute of Energy Economics, September 2016, Oxford
Adesola, S; and Alkali, U. (2016) The new role of the Nigerian universities in the development of knowledge and innovation for sustainable economy. Presented at the International Research Conference, 16th June 2016, Oxford Brookes University.
Adesola, S., (2013) ‘Entrepreneurship Curriculum for Africa’. Paper presented at the 2nd Entrepreneurship Directors Conference 2013, 10 -14 June 2013, Kwara State University, Nigeria
McLean, J; Altinay, L; James, P; and Adesola, S. (2013) ‘The Influence of Organisational Variables on Knowledge Management in New Product Development’. Work in Progress Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Services Management, Cyprus, June
Amadi-Echendu, J.E.; Adesola, S; and Falaiye, A.O. (2013). ‘Knowledge Management in the Oil and Gas Sector’. Paper presented at the 22nd International Conference on Management of Technology (IAMOT2013), 14th – 18th April, Brazil
Adesola, S. (2013) ‘An Emerging entrepreneurship Education Market in Africa: Myth or Reality?’ Paper presented at the 1st Africa Enterprise Educators Conference 2013, Lagos Business School, Nigeria, January
Adesola, S., Bamkole, P., Beresford, R and Mueller, S. (2012) ‘Implementing entrepreneurship education across borders: Insights from three collaboration projects in Nigeria’ Paper presented at the IEEC 2012, University of Plymouth, Sept
Adesola, S. (2012) ‘From policy to practice: institutionalizing entrepreneurship education in Nigeria’ Paper presented at the Joint Research Conference, OBU and Burgundy School of Business, May, Oxford.
Adesola, S. and Mueller, S. (2012) ‘Exploring the impact of entrepreneurship role models on students’ attributes: The case of a Nigerian-European Entrepreneurship Education’ Paper presented at the Joint Research Conference, OBU and Burgundy School of Business, May, Oxford.
Adesola, S. (2011) 'Developing entrepreneurial talent in the Nigerian higher education'. Paper presented at the 2011 EFMD Annual Conference Business Education in 2025, Brussels, June.
Adesola, S. and Mueller, S (2011) ‘Developing Sustainable Entrepreneurial Competences’ Paper presented at the Alliance for the Future of Higher Education in Europe, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, May
Adesola, S. (2010) 'Coping with Challenges of students from Africa - evidence from case studies'. Paper presented at The African Students Recruitment International Conference, London, 4th November.
Adesola, S., Beresford, R. and Bamkole, P. (2010) 'Enterprise education for employability - case of Nigerian Higher Education'. Paper presented at the EFMD, Lisbon, September.
Adesola, S. (2008) 'The role of education in developing an enterprising economy’. Paper presented at the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce Conference, London, July.
Adesola, S. (2008) 'Opportunities and challenges of WTO in developing countries: implication for the Nigerian legal profession'. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 9th International Academy for African Business & Development Conference, University of Florida, May.
Adesola, S. (2008) 'Improving participation of black minority students in class discussion'. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 9th International Academy for African Business & Development Conference, University of Florida, USA, May.
Adesola, S. (2008) 'Access to global trade: challenges and opportunities for Africa'. Paper presented at the Nigeria Bar Association Annual Conference, Business Law Section, Abuja, Nigeria, January.
Adesola, S. (2007) ‘Opportunities for Outsourcing in Africa’. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the International Academy for African Business & Development Conference, London Metropolitan University, May 29th -June 2nd
Adesola, S. (2007) ‘Strategies for Educational and Training Collaboration in Nigeria’. ‘Paper presented at the Opportunity Nigeria: Doing Business in Nigeria Conference, Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce, London Chamber of Commerce, Sept 27
Adesola, S. (2005) ‘Strategic Offshoring in the developing and emerging economies’ Paper presented at the Business School Research Conference, May, Oxford.
Baines, T. S. and Adesola, S. (2003) 'Exploring future challenges in the field of human performance modelling'. Paper presented at the Operational Research Society Annual Conference, University of Keele, September.
Baines, T. S. and Adesola, S. (2003) 'Human performance modelling'. Paper presented at the Industrial Simulation Conference, Valencia, Spain, June.
Adesola, S. and Baines, T. S. (2001) 'A process approach for assessing a BPI methodology implementation in practice'. Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on ISO 9000 & TQM, Paisley Business School, Scotland, January.
Adesola, M.S, Baines, T, Darlow, N. (2000) ‘MIPIM: Framework for Business Process Improvement’. Paper presented at the National Manufacturing Conference, London, May 2000

Professional information

Memberships of professional bodies

Professional Membership/Network

Fellow, Higher Education Academy
Diversifying Leadership Alumnus, AdvanceHE
Member, Africa Academy of Management
Member, Academy of International Business (membership application in process)
Member, International Academy of Africa Business Development (IAABD)
Founding Co-Chair, Nigerian Enterprise Educators Network (NEEN)
Member, British Academy of Management
Committee Member, Race Equality Working Group, Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)

Editorship

Editorial Board - International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development (Current)
Guest Editor - International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development - 2018-2019
Member of the Editorial Board - Transnational Marketing Journal

Reviewer Roles: journals and conferences

Reviewer of the 5th Cosinus Conference 2018
Panel Moderator, Entrepreneurial University-Myth or Reality, 5th Cosinus Conference 11th-12th January 2018, Oxford Brookes University
Editor and review, Energy in Africa-Policy, Management and Sustainability
Reviewer of International Journal of Production Research (IJPR)
Reviewer Journal of Environmental Development
Panel Reviewer Nigeria Energy Forum Conference 2016
Reviewer of British Academy of Management 2017 – Entrepreneurship Stream
Reviewer International Academy of Africa Business and Development (IAABD)(Conference)

Expert Panels

University of Bedfordshire Business School– MSc External Examiner - Current
SAID Business School - MBA External Examiner - Current

Consultancy

Consultancy

Academic Independent Consultancy Project: Impact Assessment of Entrepreneurship Education on Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria – April-June 2012

Executive Programmes - 2009 - 2011

FIVE revenue generated leadership programmes for senior managers and academics from Nigeria to Oxford Brookes University.

Further details

2021 Brookes Teaching Feedback & Communication Award Winner

Cranfield University alumnus Dr Sola Adesola is an international management and law specialist, researcher and director of studies with research interests in entrepreneurial role model, entrepreneurship development, energy policy, and university-industry collaboration, particularly university spinout. Sola has produced five successful PhDs and currently supervises four PhD researchers. She leads PG and UG modules in international organisations and corporate & business law respectively. She is currently a Visiting Professor at Kigali Business School, Rwanda and previiously a Visiting Associate Professor at Kwara State University, Ilorin, Nigeria

She won grant awards from Oxford Brookes University and British Council and has published in leading international journals, participated in national and international conferences and co-organised a number of conferences including the COSINUS 2018 International Conference and the 1st Africa Enterprise Education Conference 2013.

Dr Sola co-edited a book with Professor Feargal Brennan on “Energy in Africa: Policy, Management and Sustainability”, Palgrave Macmillan. In 2018-2019 she serves as a co-guest editor for the International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development Special Issue on “Innovation Systems and the New Role of Universities”. Sola is currently working on another editorial book volume on ‘Entrepreneurial Universities -Creating Institutional Innovation in Times of Turbulence" to be published by Palgrave in 2020

She is a buddy to international franchise programmes, validation panel expert, and external examiner at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD levels. Sola is an Editorial Board member of the International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development; and Transnational Marketing Journal.

She is a prominent representative in the race and gender equality agenda at Brookes, as well as representing Africa matters through OBU Africa Forum. She is an Athena SWAN and EDI Champion in the Oxford Brookes Business School, and acts as a catalyst to institutional policy on race and diversifying leadership on the Race Equality Steering Group and Race Equality Action Group. She is a BME Diversifying Leadership Champion from the AdvanceHE.

She is passionate about sharing her career trajectory and encouraging BME early career academics, (read her story here), as well as developing leadership in students and young adults. Sola is a multi-award winner, received the “2009 Best of Nigeria Education Award” by the Nigerian Achievers Award Institute, UK; and “Outstanding Achiever in Education” in 2014 by the Nigeria UK Achiever’s Award and also. In 2015, Sola was nominated for the Brookes People Individual Award for ‘Generosity of Spirit’. Apart from her work, Sola supports the Multifaith Chaplaincy running the lunch time ‘Finding God @Brookes Bible Study’.