The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is celebrating the outstanding achievement of Dr Kehinde Christopher Adewumi, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Fine Art and Jewellery Design within the Faculty of Arts and Design, who has been honoured with the prestigious Emerging Scholar Award from the Common Ground Research Networks, USA.
The Emerging Scholar Award is granted by the Common Ground Research Networks, an organisation founded in 1984 that fosters international scholarly collaboration through conferences, journals, books, and online dialogue. Recipients are selected based on the impact and potential of their research, publications, and community engagement.
For Dr Adewumi, the recognition came after the Network evaluated his portfolio and identified the significant contributions of his work. Following his selection, he presented a paper at the 2025 Common Ground Research Networks Conference at the Centre for the Arts in Society, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA, where the award was formally presented.
Commenting on his award, Dr Adewumi said: “It felt exciting. It feels good to be recognised for your hard work, especially on such an international platform. However, I am also aware of the responsibility and demand this places on me and the quality of work and ideas I explore. Nonetheless, I feel that extra layer of conscious accountability is good for my career as I cannot afford to be less. Someone recently told me, do it great, do it incredible.”
While academic recognition is important, Dr Adewumi’s vision for his career reaches beyond citations and scholarly acclaim.
“I long to see my work touch as many lives as possible. The true testament of the impact of my work will be the transformed lives and communities,” he said.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow resident in the Fine Art and Jewellery Design Department, Dr Adewumi’s role involves teaching, coordinating postgraduate activities, and supervising master’s and doctoral students.
His work extends beyond the classroom, with active participation in organising the annual Faculty Research Conference and serving on committees such as the Faculty Research Committee (FRC).
Dr Adewumi has made significant contributions to research in Arts in Health, Arts in Society, and Arts and Internationalisation.
He holds a PhD in Art History from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, where his academic journey began in 2018 as a Teaching and Research Assistant under the mentorship of Professor Gambo Giles Duniya.
Reflecting on his beginnings, Dr Adewimi notes the invaluable guidance he received during that time, a foundation that continues to shape his scholarly pursuits. To fellow emerging researchers, he offers heartfelt advice: “Do not wait for the right time. Do not wait until you see the full picture before you act. Send the email. Have the next conversation. Attend the next meeting. Take the next step. Start where you are with what you have. Soon enough, everything will align.”
Pictured: Dr Kehinde Christopher Adewumi.
Andile Dube
