Professor Victoria Showunmi is a leading academic and thought leader in the fields of gender, race, and identity, with a reputation for blending rigorous scholarship with real-world relevance. Her work has shaped national and international conversations around inclusive leadership, workplace equity, and cultural transformation. Currently working as a Professor at the Institute of Education (IOE), she has developed a national and international reputation for her pioneering work on identity and leadership.
Since 2008, Victoria has been working across UCL IOE with BA and MA students in order to identify and solve the issues connected to their experiences. In doing so, she has improved the quality of education throughout the university. In 2017, Victoria was appointed the Minority Migrant Refugee Co-Module Leader, where she worked to redesign the programme to provide an inclusive, interactive approach. Soon after, in 2019, Victoria became the Module Leader. Alongside her academic positions, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the 100 Black Women Professors NOW programme and influenced organisations such as WHEN (Women's Higher Education Network).
Named Academic Citizen of the Year 2023 by the British Educational Research Association, Victoria draws on her own lived experience navigating the academic and professional landscape. Victoria brings a powerful mix of resilience, empathy, and strategic insight to her talks. She speaks candidly about the challenges of systemic bias and the importance of cultivating environments where diverse talent can thrive. Her engaging style—infused with humour, energy, and authenticity—makes her a standout speaker for corporate audiences seeking to deepen their understanding of inclusion and drive meaningful change.
Victoria’s sessions are not only intellectually stimulating but also practically grounded, offering actionable strategies for leaders and teams to foster belonging, challenge assumptions, and lead with purpose. Whether addressing senior executives, HR professionals, or emerging leaders, she delivers transformative insights that resonate across sectors.
Professor Victoria Showunmi's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Inspirational & Personal Narrative
- Public engagement and policy
- Leadership and Culture
- Workplace well-being and psychological safety
- Communication and Change
- Organisational development
- Social impact and responsibility
- Neurodivergence & Identity
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events
"An amazing and engaging speaker, blending deep thought, compelling arguments, and a wicked sense of humour" - ICMM
"Brings her deep academic credentials to life through amazing energy on stage" - ICMM
"A rare combination of deep conviction in her opinions with an open mind and willingness to engage in genuine debate" - ICMM
“Professor Showunmi’s talk was transformative. She gave voice to experiences many of us have struggled to articulate. I left feeling empowered and validated.” - Attendee, Black History Month Lecture
“Her insights on psychological safety and leadership were not only academically rigorous but deeply human. She challenged us to rethink how we lead.” - HR Director, University Workshop
“Victoria’s session on intersectionality was eye-opening. She connected theory with lived experience in a way that resonated across generations.” - Student, International Education Conference
“I’ve attended many lectures, but few have stayed with me like this one. Her authenticity and depth of knowledge are unmatched.” - Educator, Diversity in Education Forum
“She doesn’t just speak—she inspires. Her work is a call to action for institutions to do better.” - Policy Advisor, Leadership & Equity Summit
- 2025 - Professor at IOE
- 2023 – Named the inaugural “Academic Citizen of the Year” by the British Educational Research Association
- 2022 – Co-authored the book "Understanding and Managing Sophisticated and Everyday Racism"
- 2008 - Associate Professor in Education at the Institute of Education
How to hire Prof. Victoria Showunmi
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Prof. Victoria Showunmi for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
