Professor ’Funmi Olonisakin is Vice President International, Engagement and Service at King’s College London and Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at the African Leadership Centre (ALC) in the School of Global Affairs. Her work focuses on deploying academic expertise to achieve transformative social impact through interdisciplinary collaboration and equitable partnerships.

She founded the ALC at King’s and in Kenya in partnership with the University of Nairobi, aiming to develop a new generation of African leaders in peace, security and development. Her research bridges academia, policy and practice, with a focus on civil war relapse, youth vulnerability, and the intersection of leadership, peace and security.

Professor Olonisakin has held leadership roles in several major UN initiatives and currently chairs the Council of the United Nations University. She previously served in the UN Secretariat and directed the Conflict Security and Development Group at King’s.

She holds degrees from the University of Ife (Nigeria) and King’s College London, and has received multiple honours, including a Fellowship of King’s College and an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria.