The UNIFORCE initiative brings together 2 dynamic panels - the Jury panel (Academic and Industry expert) and Student Leadership review board —to collaboratively assess submitted projects.
Each panel offers a distinct lens: The Jury is made up of experts to evaluate research depth and innovation, as well as assess the feasibility, impact, and delivery potential; while the Student Leadership committee champions representation, inclusivity, community value and student voice.
Together, they ensure a balanced, forward-thinking review process that celebrates creativity, strategic thinking, and real-world application. This year's theme is "projects for a sustainable Scotland".
MEMBERS OF THE JURY BOARD
Dr Cameron Graham
Dr Cameron Graham is an Associate Professor in the Department of Learning & Teaching Enhancement at Edinburgh Napier University. His research interests include widening access and participation, international student transitions and social justice within higher education.
Cameron’s doctoral research focusses on criticality in higher education, specifically exploring students’ development of criticality. He leads on the implementation of Edinburgh Napier’s ENhance Curriculum Framework, is the university’s STEP Network representative and is a Reviewer for Advance HE.
Dr Timothy Olawumi
Dr. Timothy Olawumi, Assistant Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, is an internationally recognised researcher in sustainable construction and informatics, BIM and circular economy.
Ranked among the Top 25 Outstanding Scientists in sustainability (BMBF) and among the Top 2% most-cited scientists worldwide, he has published 75+ highly cited papers, received multiple international awards, and serves on editorial boards and as a grant reviewer for major research councils in the UK and abroad.
Ellen Gibson
Ellen is Head of Careers at Glasgow Caledonian University and a governor on the University Court. She has extensive experience of delivering careers guidance and has developed many employability initiatives. She is a member of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services and the Career Development Institute.
Ailsa has a range of links inside and outside the UK including: the Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities, the European Quality Audit Network, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the University of Limerick. Outside work, Ailsa has a research interest in literary memoir and all forms of storytelling.
Dr Ibiye Iyalla
Dr Ibiye Iyalla is an Associate Dean in the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology at RGU. He is a member of the Sustainability group; the staff and student body overseeing the delivery of the University’s strategic commitment to create a more sustainable future.
He has designed and delivered modules on innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, enabling students to collaborate in small teams to develop and evaluate innovative business ideas aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasising societal impact, market potential, and commercial viability.
Dr Melina Doargajudhur
Dr. Melina Doargajudhur is a researcher and lecturer specializing in Strategy and Project Management. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and currently serves as the Programme Leader for the MBA in Strategic Project Management. Dr. Doargajudhur also leads several modules focused on project management.
Prof John H McKendrick
Professor John H. McKendrick, appointed Commissioner for Fair Access to Higher Education by the Scottish Government in January 2023, is also co-Director of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University. His work bridges academia and activism, advancing efforts to tackle poverty.
A contributor to national policy boards, co-edited Poverty in Scotland 2021: Towards a 2030 Without Poverty, he recently oversaw the unit’s 100th Tackling Poverty Locally Directory case study. A football referee in previous life.
Prof Lizzie Rushton
Professor Lizzie Rushton is Head of the Education Division, University of Stirling and Deputy Chair of the Scottish Council of Deans of Education. Her research explores Environmental and Sustainability Education with a focus on teacher agency and curriculum making.
Onyinye Igbokwe
Onyinye is the Head of Regional Partnerships at Codebase and Programme Director at Knowvate Hub, she specialize in building strategic partnerships, driving innovation, and delivering impactful programmes.
Experienced in ecosystem development, stakeholder engagement, and project leadership, she connects communities and curates’ initiatives to foster growth, collaboration, and sustainable change
Mahinda Yapa Mudiyanselage
Mahinda is Associate Professor and Programme Leader for the MBA Business Leadership & Practice at Edinburgh Napier University. With a PhD in maritime economics and over 15 years’ experience, he specialises in logistics and transport research.
A Senior Fellow of Advance HE and award-winning educator, Mahinda contributes to global transport development, serves on editorial boards, and has held visiting professorships in China and Japan. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka.
Dr Geshwaree Huzooree
Dr. Huzooree is Programme Leader for BA Business Management and Deputy Programme Leader for MBA (Strategic Project Management) at Edinburgh Napier University. A Senior Fellow of Higher Education with over 18 years’ combined experience in academia and industry, she researches project management and digital transformation, advancing student success and innovation.
Dr Nader Seyedkalali
Dr Nader Seyedkalali is a Lecturer in Business Management (Business Strategy & Sustainability), Programme Leader for MSc International Business Management, and Simulation Lead within the Management Subject Group at Edinburgh Napier University Business School. His research explores how organisations develop and mobilise dynamic capabilities to execute strategy for sustainable performance.
Dr Ibiyemi Omeihe
Dr. Ibiyemi Omeihe is a Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland’s School of Business and Creative Industries. She leads the MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management and MSc Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management, UWS’s first dual degree.
Her award-winning research explores entrepreneurship, leadership, and inclusive business education, focusing on women in enterprise. Recognised by UWS, the British Academy of Management, SAMEE, and UKCISA, she actively shapes policy and practice through leadership roles in national and international academic bodies.
Eileen Tisdall
Eileen is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Geography at the University of Stirling; she is currently Programme Director for the UG BSc Environmental Geography. Her research uses evidence of human activity and changes in the environment in the past to help inform current ideas around biodiversity loss, climate change and mitigation. She is also currently working on embedding education for sustainability into the Environmental Geography degree programme.
Dr Ama Lawani
Ama lectures in Project Leadership and Management and related subjects at Stirling Business School. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and brings extensive experience in higher education teaching and learning. She’s also an Associate Member of the APM and Full Member of the CMI (MCMI). She is driven to advance equity, resilience, and inclusion within academic and professional communities.
Paulo Cruz
Paulo Cruz has a BSc in Environmental Sciences and Biology (U. Stirling) and a MSc in Wastes Management (U. Bedfordshire). He is Glasgow Caledonian University’s Head of Operational Sustainability and has responsibility for helping embed sustainability into all aspects of the University’s operations. He is interested in applying sustainability and circular economy thinking to develop behaviour change interventions, improve processes, target capital investments and deliver savings. Prior to this, Paulo was involved in consultancy and business development roles. He is a Chartered Waste Manager and EAUC Fellow.
Brent Hurley
Brent Hurley is a Strategy, Change and Improvement specialist, and has successfully delivered innovative Scientific, Policy and IT projects. As Portfolio Manager (Strategic Change) in the Strategy Hub at Edinburgh Napier University his main areas of responsibility and leadership are around supporting organisational wide strategy development/implementation and strategic project management. Brent facilitates business improvement, external collaborations, has authored four book chapters, delivers training and guest lectures, and is passionate about the people aspect of delivering change.
Dr Mijoh A Gbededo
Mijoh is a Lecturer in the Management Department at GCU. A certified PRINCE2 Practitioner with a diverse skills base and work history, he is known for his insightful teaching and commitment to academic excellence. He actively contributes to research exploring the intersection of management, technology, and sustainable development.
Nancy Kennils
Nancy Kennils is Robert Gordon University’s Sustainability Manager, driving climate action and environmental initiatives across the campus and beyond. She leads strategic projects, engages communities, and champions net-zero goals—making sustainability a core part of university life and learning.
Oluwakemi Odunsi-Ujiagbe
Oluwakemi Odunsi-Ujiagbe is a distinguished Management Consultant and Sustainability Strategist with 10+ years’ experience. She leads the Kaim Sustainability Project at Robert Gordon University, advancing circular economy and environmental stewardship.
A Scotland Sustainability Champion of the Year, Kemi also serves as a Trustee of the RGU Union. She holds a Master of Science in Business and Management with Sustainability and an MBA in Financial Management, Professional designations including Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Certified Business Coach and Mentor (CBCM), Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), Fellow Professional Mentor and Coach (FpMC).
Dr Thelma Okey-Adibe
Dr Thelma Okey-Adibe(PhD) is a Lecturer in Management and Leadership at Glasgow Caledonian University and the module lead for “Employability in Practice” across eight programmes within the Glasgow School for Business and Society (GSBS). A certified Scrum Master, she is passionate about employability and entrepreneurship, ensuring that academic knowledge aligns with industry expectations and empowering students to thrive in a dynamic and evolving world of work.