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HomeAcademic staffMr Abiodun Michael Olatokun
Mr Abiodun Michael Olatokun

Mr Abiodun Michael Olatokun

olatokua@lsbu.ac.uk

Law

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I am a researcher, activist, lawyer and educator. Since 2016 I have been a Research Fellow at the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law where I write about equality and technology and lead a programme of public legal education called 'Citizenship and the Rule of Law'.

From October 2022 I will be a pupil barrister at Matrix Chambers in London, during which time I will undertake a year-long sabbatical and will return to LSBU in the 2022/2023 academic year.

RESEARCH

My recent research includes:

1. A literature review of public legal education evaluations:https://legalservicesboard.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PLE-systematic-review-report-Feb-2021.pdf

2. An article exploring the rule of law implications of school exclusions: https://binghamcentre.biicl.org/comments/122/school-exclusions-and-the-rule-of-law

3. A video debunking myths around self-representation in courts: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/does-it-ever-pay-to-represent-yourself-in-court/p0b9prys

I have also conducted empirical research. During the EU referendum I conducted focus groups with young voters to better understand the barriers to their participation in politics, informing the government of key areas for improvement in their information campaigns to promote voter engagement. I am currently researching the public's attitudes towards criminal sentencing.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

-The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn (Tancred Scholar)

-The Administrative Law Bar Association

-Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts

-Association of Chairs of Nonprofit Organisations

EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES

I am a leader in the charity sector and have sat as a non-executive director of several boards. I am currently a trustee of Law for Life (The Foundation for Public Legal Education) and The Diana Award.

For three years I was a trustee of the University of Westminster Students’ Union, serving as chair for two years. In that capacity I led the organisation through a significant restructuring exercise.

I have been a supporter of young people’s participation in politics throughout my career and was also a trustee of the British Youth Council from 2015-2016. I mentor university students looking to build careers in the charity sector, and advise community groups looking to increase their impact on an ad hoc basis.

My personal website is abiodunolatokun.com

View the publications at https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/

Courses taught

Law - LLB (Hons)

Master of Laws in Legal Practice: Barristers

BPP

2018
2020
Research Fellow/Leader in Citizenship and the Rule of Law/ Head of Public and Youth Engagement/Diversity Officer
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law)

Operational lead for a strategy to 'Democratise the Rule of Law' through citizenship education.

1. Ran an international citizenship education programme.

2. Created a highly successful online course, 'Citizenship and the Rule of Law' (bit.ly/teachmeruleoflaw)

3. Engaged in key law reform agendas, writing responses to parliamentary consultations

4. Teaching law and politics to diverse groups across the world.

5. Writing on a range of matters including political participation, access to justice, human rights and technology.

2016
2022
Third sector/charities

Filter publications

Does the law think that black lives matter? A reflection upon the role of the public sector equality duty in promoting racial equality before the law
Olatokun, M.A. (2021). Does the law think that black lives matter? A reflection upon the role of the public sector equality duty in promoting racial equality before the law. The Theory and Practice of Legislation. 9 (1), pp. 83-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/20508840.2021.1909367