Professor Olivette Otele

Professor Olivette Otele is a renowned historian and Distinguished Research Professor at SOAS University of London. She made academic history as the first Black woman in the United Kingdom to be appointed as a Professor of the History of Slavery, a post she held at the University of Bristol. Her prestigious career also includes serving as a Professor and Chair of History at Bath Spa University. Holding a PhD from the Sorbonne in Paris and an honorary doctorate from Concordia University, she specialises in the transnational links between colonial history, collective memory, and modern geopolitics. Her scholarly work investigates how Britain and France navigate identities and citizenship through the politics of remembrance. Professor Otele has authored celebrated works such as African Europeans: An Untold History and remains a prominent media commentator for international outlets including the BBC, Sky News, and The Guardian. Beyond her academic research, she has served as a Vice President of the Royal Historical Society and sat on the judging panel for the International Booker Prize. In recognition of her immense contribution to British society, she was named in the 2020 updated list of 100 Great Black Britons. Organisations look to Professor Otele for her unparalleled ability to connect complex historical narratives with contemporary issues of inclusion and race. Her expertise provides audiences with a profound understanding of how the past continues to shape the social and cultural landscapes of the present day. On stage, Professor Olivette Otele is best known for talks on Diversity & Inclusion. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Education and Social Impact & Advocacy, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Based in UK, Professor Olivette Otele travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Professor Olivette Otele would approach your audience.