Shaped by personal experience and a passion for social justice, York St John academic named in the top 2% of scientists

Dr Obasanjo Bolarinwa, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Programme Director for Global Healthcare Management at York St John University, has been recognised among the Top 2% Scientists 2025. The prestigious global list, compiled by Elsevier and Stanford University, identifies the most influential researchers worldwide. 

Dr Bolarinwa says that his own journey from a slum environment in Lagos, Nigeria, to international recognition like this is a testament to the power of inclusive research. 

He has been recognised for his contributions to advancing maternal, sexual, and reproductive health equity. Personal experience and a passion for social justice drive his work, which particularly focuses on women with disabilities and marginalised communities across Africa.  

Growing up in a deprived area of Lagos, Dr Bolarinwa was shaped by the challenges faced by his community. His parents had only the equivalent of a primary school education, and he witnessed first-hand the consequences of limited access to healthcare. A tragic incident involving a teenage neighbour who died following an unlicensed abortion profoundly influenced his understanding of the need for uninterrupted maternal and reproductive health services. This experience became a driving force behind his research, which has consistently focused on health equity for vulnerable and marginalised populations. 

Although he initially aspired to study medicine, Bolarinwa pursued global public health and demography (the study of human populations) instead. His research, beginning with his first publication in 2019, has spanned the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe, always centred on eliminating inequality in healthcare service delivery. His mother’s experience with disability further inspired his PhD work, which explored the sexual health needs and healthcare access of women with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa. He credits this focus as a key reason for his global recognition in public and health services. 

Joining York St John University was a deliberate and strategic choice, aligning with his values and an emphasis on social justice. As a member of the University’s Institute for Social Justice, Dr Bolarinwa has been able to translate individual experiences into institutional and community-level change. Additionally, his recent successful British Academy grant award centred on developing inclusive humanitarian interventions before, during, and after conflict, ensuring that no one is left behind. 

Dr Bolarinwa’s academic journey began in earnest in 2018, when he transitioned from industry to academia. Admitted to a PhD programme in South Africa in 2019, he migrated in 2020 and quickly realised the importance of collaboration in research. With no major prior experience in research publishing, he sought mentorship and embraced the ideas of others, which he believes enriched his work. He is also a senior collaborator in the Global Burden of Disease project, where he contributes to global research that informs policy and intervention strategies, which has also shaped his research profile as a global scholar in public health. 

On being named in the Top 2% Dr Bolarinwa said:  

“This recognition is both humbling and motivating. It reflects not only my work but also the invaluable contributions of colleagues, mentors, collaborators, and students who share a vision for advancing health equity.  

“Research is not about numbers or citations, but it is about making a difference. I remain committed to producing research that informs policy, improves health systems, and champions inclusivity. Collaboration and inclusivity in academia are key, and working together is essential for producing high-quality, and impactful research.” 

Looking ahead, Dr Bolarinwa is focused on further integrating social justice into teaching and research. Inspired by his father, a primary school mathematics teacher, he sees teaching and research as inseparable. His goal is to develop workshops across Africa, targeting master’s and PhD students to embed social justice principles into their academic work. He has already conducted workshops in Malawi, Kenya, and South Africa, helping early career researchers embrace inclusive practices. His work continues to challenge inequality and inspire change, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and their needs addressed. 

Read more from Dr Obasanjo Bolarinwa – The Conversation.