Professor Adukwu, Dean for Students at UWE Bristol, has been recognised for his work in removing barriers to ensure access and quality of opportunity for all in higher education. The annual prize celebrates good practice and outstanding contributions to initiatives that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the microbiological community, and aims to widen participation by those from historically marginalised communities.
A Professor of Applied Microbiology, Professor Adukwu's academic journey includes degrees from Coventry University, Manchester Metropolitan University, and a PhD from the University of Northampton. His research has focused on community-acquired infections, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogenic yeasts. He holds a strong student-centred philosophy, which has previously earned him a Royal Society of Biology Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award in 2023 and the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award at UWE Bristol in 2016.
Committed to advancing excellence in higher education through inclusion, Professor Adukwu holds several key roles. He is a trustee at Applied Microbiology International, Founding Chair of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF), a member of the American Society for Microbiology’s education committee, and a steering committee member for the Africa Initiative Group in Microbiology. He also serves on the Medical Research Council’s Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group and is Co-Chair of the Black Professoriate Group at UWE Bristol.
Upon receiving the award, Professor Adukwu stated, “I am very delighted and honoured to receive the Microbiology Society EDI Prize, recognising my contributions to promote and advance equity in microbiology and higher education. I dedicate this award to my family, students, peers, colleagues, mentors and all who work tirelessly to open doors, remove barriers and advance equity for all.”
The prize will be presented by the society’s president, Professor Gordon Dougan, following Professor Adukwu’s prize lecture on Equality Diversity and Inclusion at the society’s annual conference in Birmingham in April next year.
