Following the success of the 2024 cohort, UWE Bristol is renewing its partnership with the Women’s Higher Education Network (WHEN) for the 2026 cohort of the 100 Black Women Professors Now programme, addressing career progression gaps for global majority staff as part of our commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution.
Throughout this month we will spotlight the achievements of the 100 Black Women Professors now 2024 alumni Starting with Dr. Tinkuma Edafioghor, a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management at UWE Bristol Business School and member of Human Resources, Work and Employment research group (HRWE)
A Foundation Built on Passion
Tinkuma’s doctoral research, “The Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Resilience: An Investigation of SMEs in Nigeria,” reflects her deep commitment to exploring the intersection of human resource management and organizational resilience, these themes continue to drive her research today. With over eight years of experience in higher education, Tinkuma teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate modules while supervising student dissertations. Her current research focuses on organizational resilience and employee wellbeing, areas she believes are critical to business success and sustainability in today’s dynamic environment.
Like many academics, Tinkuma faced significant challenges early in her career. Balancing research demands, teaching responsibilities, and administrative duties while maintaining work-life balance proved demanding. The competitive nature of securing research funding and getting published added another layer of complexity.
“I overcame these challenges by seeking mentorship from senior colleagues who shared their insights on effective time management and research strategies,”
This experience taught her the invaluable lesson of focusing on what she could control while actively seeking support from her professional network.
The Transformative Impact of 100 BWPN
As one of six Black female academics who became pioneers of UWE’s 100 BWPN programme she experienced unprecedented levels of support and encouragement.
“Connecting with like-minded professionals, learning from their experiences and sharing insights has expanded my perspective and enriched my teaching and research,” she explains. The programme provided what she describes as “a hierarchy of support” that she had never experienced in her combined years working in higher education.
Current Research and Impact
Tinkuma’s current work includes an EDICa Funded Project titled “The Impact of Hybrid Working on Black Women Academics: Productivity and Visibility in the Post-COVID Higher Education.” This research continues her commitment to understanding and addressing the specific challenges faced by underrepresented groups in academic settings.
Her research expertise spans Human Resource Management, International HRM, and Organizational Resilience, with particular focus on talent management, employee engagement and wellbeing, leadership and change management, and strategic HRM alignment.
A Vision for the Future
Through her work with the 100 BWPN programme and the Safe Space Initiative, Tinkuma embodies the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am what I am because of who we all are.” Her journey demonstrates how individual transformation can catalyze systemic change, creating pathways for future generations of Black women in academia.
As she continues to research, teach, and mentor others, Dr. Tinkuma Edafioghor stands as a reminder that when institutions invest in supporting underrepresented voices, we strengthen the community as a whole.
UWE staff can apply to join the 25/26 cohort of this programme. Applications are open now, closing 19 Oct 2025.