Innovative Research Award

Benjamin Ajibade is a mental health nursing academic, researcher, educator, and institutional leader affiliated with Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. His academic profile combines extensive clinical nursing experience, higher education leadership, doctoral supervision, curriculum innovation, inclusive teaching practice, and interdisciplinary research. His scholarly contributions have focused on nursing education, mental health, equity and inclusion, international student experiences, healthcare access, dementia care, and culturally responsive educational methodologies including LEGO® Serious Play®.[1]

With more than three decades of combined clinical and academic experience, Benjamin Ajibade has contributed to nursing scholarship through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, research supervision, editorial service, external examining activities, grant-funded projects, and leadership of initiatives aimed at widening participation and advancing equity within higher education and healthcare systems.[1]

Abstract

This article presents an academic overview of Benjamin Ajibade’s professional achievements, scholarly contributions, educational leadership, research supervision, community engagement, and service to nursing education. Particular attention is given to his work in mental health nursing, inclusion and diversity initiatives, international student transition research, doctoral supervision, curriculum innovation, and externally funded projects. The profile also evaluates his suitability for recognition through the Innovative Research Award associated with the Top Teachers Awards based on documented evidence of academic leadership, research activity, educational innovation, and professional impact.[1]

Keywords

Mental Health Nursing; Nursing Education; Higher Education; Inclusivity; Equity and Diversity; LEGO® Serious Play®; Doctoral Supervision; Curriculum Development; Healthcare Research; International Students; Dementia Care; Research Leadership; Community Engagement; Educational Innovation.

Introduction

Benjamin Ajibade serves as Assistant Professor in Mental Health Nursing within the Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health at Northumbria University. His career spans clinical nursing, healthcare management, academic leadership, teaching, research, and professional service. Throughout his career he has worked across multiple healthcare and higher education institutions in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, contributing to nursing practice, professional development, educational innovation, and evidence-informed healthcare delivery.[1]

His academic interests encompass mental health nursing, public health, research methodologies, healthcare equity, educational transitions, student wellbeing, dementia care, and decolonisation of curricula. These themes are reflected in his scholarly outputs, funded projects, conference presentations, doctoral supervision activities, and leadership roles within national and international educational networks.[1]

Research Profile

Benjamin Ajibade completed a Professional Doctorate in Nursing at the University of Sunderland, where his doctoral thesis investigated sociocultural factors influencing Nigerian nursing students transitioning into UK higher education through the application of LEGO® Serious Play® methodology. This research established a foundation for subsequent scholarly work concerning international student experiences, belonging, educational transitions, and inclusive pedagogical practice.[2]

His research portfolio demonstrates engagement with mental health, educational equity, public health, ageing, dementia, healthcare access, minority ethnic experiences, postgraduate research participation, and anti-racist educational practices. He has also contributed to collaborative projects funded through national and institutional initiatives focused on inclusion, healthcare access, and postgraduate researcher development.[1]

• Institutional Lead for the Pro:NE project.
• Principal and co-investigator on multiple healthcare and educational research initiatives.
• Supervisor of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional doctorate, and PhD research.
• Contributor to equality, diversity, and inclusion scholarship.
• Researcher in nursing education and international student transitions.

Research Contributions

A notable aspect of Benjamin Ajibade’s scholarly contribution is the application of innovative educational methodologies to investigate complex sociocultural experiences. His work using LEGO® Serious Play® methodology has explored student transitions, learning experiences, and inclusion within higher education settings. Such research has contributed to broader discussions concerning student engagement, belonging, and educational equity.[2]

His contributions also extend to healthcare service accessibility and health equity research. Publications addressing reproductive health access barriers, minority ethnic healthcare experiences, dementia care, and postgraduate research participation demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach that integrates education, nursing, and public health perspectives.[4]

• Research on educational transitions among international nursing students.
• Studies promoting inclusivity and decolonisation in nursing education.
• Projects addressing healthcare access among minoritised communities.
• Research leadership in postgraduate researcher development initiatives.
• Development of evidence-informed educational practices and mentorship frameworks.

Publications

Benjamin Ajibade’s most cited publications examine patient-centred care planning, international nursing student transitions, and innovative LEGO® Serious Play® methodology, contributing to nursing education, inclusion, and healthcare access research.[2][3][4][5]

Ajibade’s publication record includes peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, preprints, educational research outputs, and collaborative healthcare studies. Several publications have addressed nursing practice, international education, healthcare access, and student wellbeing.[2][3][4]

Research Impact

The documented impact of Benjamin Ajibade’s work can be observed across research, teaching, supervision, policy engagement, and professional practice. His funded projects have supported work on healthcare inclusion, culturally responsive care, postgraduate researcher development, and educational equity. He has also supervised substantial numbers of undergraduate and postgraduate students and has contributed to doctoral supervision, examination, and mentoring activities.[1]

Beyond formal research outputs, his leadership within equality and diversity initiatives, editorial responsibilities, external examiner appointments, validation panels, and healthcare stakeholder collaborations demonstrates broader academic influence extending beyond institutional boundaries.[1]

Award Suitability

Benjamin Ajibade’s profile demonstrates multiple characteristics commonly associated with academic recognition for innovative research and educational leadership. These include sustained engagement with research-informed teaching, innovative methodological approaches, leadership of externally funded projects, commitment to equity and inclusion, doctoral supervision, international academic collaboration, and dissemination of scholarship through publications and conferences.[1]

His use of LEGO® Serious Play® methodology in higher education research, leadership of initiatives supporting minoritised postgraduate researchers, involvement in healthcare equity projects, and contributions to curriculum transformation collectively provide evidence of innovation and impact within nursing education and healthcare scholarship.[3][5]

Conclusion

Benjamin Ajibade represents a scholar-practitioner whose career integrates nursing practice, higher education leadership, inclusive pedagogy, research supervision, and interdisciplinary scholarship. His contributions to mental health nursing education, educational equity, healthcare inclusion, and international student research have established a record of professional achievement and academic service. The available evidence indicates a sustained commitment to advancing knowledge, supporting learners, and promoting equitable healthcare and educational environments, supporting consideration for recognition through the Innovative Research Award.[1]

External Links

• Scopus Author Profile
• ORCID Profile
• Google Scholar Profile
• ResearchGate Profile
• Web of Science Profile
• Top Teachers Awards

References

1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Benjamin Ajibade, Author ID 57355622100. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57355622100
2. Ajibade, B. (2021). Assessing the patient’s needs and planning effective care. British Journal of Nursing, 30(20), 1166-1171. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2021.30.20.1166
3. Ajibade, B.O., & Hayes, C. (2022). Using LEGO® Serious Play® Methodology in supporting Nigerian nursing students’ sociocultural transitions to UK higher education. Nurse Education Today, 119, 105582. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105582
4. Ajibade, B., Oguguo, C., Ling, J., & Eberhardt, J. (2022). Recommendations for removing access barriers to effective sexual/reproductive health services for young people in South East Nigeria: A systematic review. International Journal of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care. https://research.tees.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/55499093/IJSRHC_5_137.pdf
5. Ajibade, B.O., & Hayes, C. (2020). An insight into utilising LEGO® Serious Play® to explore international student transitions into a UK higher education institution. SAGE Publications Ltd. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MiIjB38AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra