OLUWAFUNMILOLA ADENIYI

Brilliance is overrated, resilience is underrated!

Tell us about the background of your research.

My research set out to do two things: (1) Kick start a legal conversation and consciousness about hunger among students in tertiary intuitions as a human rights violation, and; (2) Propose and advocate for policies that will bring meaningful and measurable change to this problem.

What were the motivations for carrying out this research?

I started my PhD journey knowing I wanted to do something impactful within the food security space for my PhD- food insecurity is still a big issue in South Africa! In the first year, I mulled over a completely different topic (thankfully that research didn’t go to waste though as it ended being presented at an international conference). The Eureka moment was an encounter with a student, toward the middle of 2017. Before this encounter, I was like many others who accepted hunger as part of the student experience. I just never applied my mind to how devastating the effects can be on students. Then a student on campus walked up to me around lunchtime and asked for some money- she had not eaten in two days. I took her to the nearest Café, bought some food for her and gave her some cash. In that moment, I knew I wanted to do something about it. It should not be okay that people have to learn while they are hungry. I did some research and conceptualised a project – Access to Food for Students Project- it was wholly embraced by my institute- The Dullah Omar Institute. The project set out to drive policy change in the tertiary education sector on the right to food, through advocacy and research. My PhD thesis aligned to the research aspect of this project.

Research can be a long and tough journey,what kept you going during this process?

First a solid support system. From my faith, to my spouse, to my parents and my friends, everyone truly wanted to see me finish this and that was very encouraging. It was like having a band of cheerleaders cheering you on towards the finish line. They also put action to their words- from giving me breaks to help me write, to supplying endless cups of tea while writing.

Second, the strong desire to be intentional in being a role model for my kids. Teaching them about starting and finishing a thing through my actions was important to me. Also mirroring for them the value, dignity and rewards of working hard towards a goal and achieving said goal.

Who is your biggest inspiration/What inspires you?

This is a hard one. I’ll say first my circle ofwomen, with my mother topping the list. Beingsurrounded by women who do not think the word‘impossible’ exists is very inspiring- it opens yourmind up to a limitless horizon.

I am also inspired by a deep desire to make a meaningful impact through what I do.

What is the funniest/scariest/most embarrassing or best thing that has happened to you as a researcher?

Has to be the number of times I asked myself what I was thinking ever signing up for a PhD program (lol). That and sitting at my home desk one winter night around 2 am and having a good cry about how tough it was, wiping my face and proceeding to write up another 2000+ words before daybreak.

There are certainly lots of lessons you took from your journey, what can you share with an aspiring researcher/postgrad student?

Brilliance is overrated, resilience is underrated! That for me was the reoccurring theme through the arduous journey. You come into a PhD program, all puffed up about what you know and what you can achieve. In no time, it cuts you down to size, it humbles you. There is such an abundance of knowledge out there that up until that point you have not scratched the face of it. Also, it is not the easiest of journeys and what keeps you on it is your resilience to finish. You never really come out as the same person you were when you started the program.

COVID-19 has been a huge challenge in the society at large, how did you cope with this challenge?

When life gives you lemons, you can choose to sit at the feet of those lemons and cry or you can make a chilled cup of lemonade and enjoy. I think this was true for most Postgrad students over the lockdown. For me, I saw an opportunity- to concentrate and wrap up my thesis. Of course, the practicalities were challenged, being a mum of two active young ones, but challenges do not always mean impossibilities.

Post PhD though, I am tired of the pandemic and I wish we can all get the vaccines ASAP and return to a semblance of normalcy, sooner rather than later.

How was your your supervision experience in one word?

Great. Both my supervisor and co supervisor (ProfE Durojaye and Prof J de Visser) were 100% on board with what I was trying to achieve through my research and provided valuable insights and constructive feedback when needed. Being subject matter specialists was also a plus because I could lean on them and we could bounce ideas off each other. I particularly liked that they were not averse to me disagreeing with them and they gave room for my growth through the years. I think I scored gold in that regard.

What are you currently doing (work/ academics)?

I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Dullah Omar Institute. Gradually entrenching myself in academia as I try to produce a couple of journal articles out of my thesis.

What does the future hold for Oluwafunmilola Adeniyi?

The real journey has just begun- academia will always hold a soft spot in my heart- I thoroughly enjoy lecturing! But I am also keen on moving into spaces where real change can actually be effected- the development space.