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Adelakun Sariat (PhD Special Needs Education, 2017)

A woman in doctoral robes

I had the privilege of graduating with a PhD from the University of Birmingham in 2017. The knowledge gained at the University continues to make a positive impact. One of my recent academic milestones was the delivery of my inaugural Lecture on 26 November 2025, which highlighted my research journey and contributions to inclusive STEM education for persons with disabilities.

Inspired by the findings of my PhD research, I established the Science and Technology for Persons with Special Needs Initiative (UK Charity Registration No. 1176716). The charity is dedicated to improving access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for persons with special needs, particularly those with visual impairments.

Through the charity and our partners, we have:

  • Produced and distributed Braille Mathematics and Science textbooks to blind students across Nigeria.
  • Organised training programmes and advocacy activities promoting inclusive STEM education.
  • Scheduled two international webinars on 16 July and 29 July 2026 to advance discussions on accessible STEM education.
  • Begun preparations for our STEMSEN Camp 2026, which will hold in December 2026 to provide hands-on STEM experiences for children and young people with special needs.

Academically, I was honoured to receive the TETFund National Research Fund (NRF) Grant in 2020. The research led to the development of the Equation Format Converter Software, an innovative tool that converts mathematical equations into accessible formats for blind and visually impaired learners. The software has been successfully tested, and the findings have been published in peer-reviewed academic journals, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on accessible STEM education.

I remain deeply grateful to the University of Birmingham for the excellent education, mentorship, and research environment that laid the foundation for these achievements. The University's influence continues to inspire my commitment to advancing inclusive education and empowering persons with disabilities through science and technology.