EDI Committee
Tolulope Onabolu
Tolulope Onabolu is lecturer in architecture at Newcastle University and an architectural and urban designer. He explores the use of architectural visualization in the speculation of urban scenarios and in the reconceptualization of lost architectural heritage. He is interested in the role of architecture in the conditioning of human subjectivity, the sanctioning of the architect by sovereign prerogative, and the dangers of aesthetic agenda as political device.
In his research and lived experience, reinforced by the work of Alain Badiou, Giorgio Agamben, Michel Foucault, and Achille Mbembe, he has queried the logics of belonging, inclusion, exclusion, and consumption as spatio-political practices.
Through his studio teaching, he finds direct correlation in horror fiction and speculative realism on the issues of foreignness and alterity and uses their narrative forms to lay bare the explicitly political structure of spatial practices in architecture and the built environment. In addition, he interrogates the consumption of architecture and its representation through computational practice.
Tolu has previously taught in various capacities at Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and the Institute for Design Informatics, both at the University of Edinburgh. He has delivered projects across the UK and Nigeria, and his work has been profiled at the Venice Biennale and the London Festival of Architecture.
Qianqian Qin
I am a Chinese national who came to the UK in 2011. I did a first degree in Geography and Planning at Shanghai Normal University in China, and I did my masters at the LSE, UK. I joined the School of APL at Newcastle University as a teaching assistant in 2014 and then I became a permanent member of staff in October 2022. During my transition from teaching assistant to permanent member of staff, I have developed several lines of academic inquiry in the following research areas: Chinese culture, urban development, environmental politics and social-spatial justice. I have been published in several journals within these fields and I also have one output within a collected monograph of essays on Sustainable Real Estate within the Developing World.
My reasons for joining the EDI committee are three-fold. 1) First, I feel that in our school, “East Asian Women” are probably an underrepresented cohort, even though we have lots of female undergraduate students and PGRs from East Asia. Secondly, I want to join the EDI committee to help support the voices and experiences of early-stage researchers who have a T&S contract. Thirdly, I am also a mother with a 4 and half year-old son, and in this regard, I also hope to represent young moms in our school – especially those who are struggling to balance family needs with an academic career.
Contact Qianqian Qin.
Loes Veldpaus
Dr. Veldpaus is a Lecturer in Architecture and Urban and a co-director of the Centre for Heritage. She has a background in architecture, urban history, urban planning, and heritage studies, and researches and teaches across and between those areas. Her work focuses on the political and socio-ethical nature of building(s), and in particular in the context of practices we label as 'heritage'.
She contributes to various university committees such as EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) committee, as well as the PEC (Personal Extenuating Circumstances) committee, to make Newcastle a fairer and more inclusive University to work and study at. As a co-director of the Centre for Heritage (Formerly Heritage NUCoRE), I also contribute to developing the Early Career Strand, and the centres ‘anti-racism’ agenda priority.
Kelly Weightman
I have been at the University now for 20 years and in APL for 10 years. My role is Student Support and Wellbeing - taking the lead when students have any welfare issues they may need support, advice, information and guidance upon.
I work closely with University Central Services and key teams to support our students as much as possible, to encourage engagement in our students being a partner in their own learning - taking part in the support that’s offered and available to them is the key to success.
I manage the Schools Personal Extenuating Circumstances procedure and support adjustments for students wherever possible in line with University Procedures to help students gain the most from their studies and time with us.
I am a member of the NU Women’s Network and NU Parents Network. I’m part of the University Mental Health Charter Group, Athena Swan Committee. I’m a Wellbeing Advocate and Just Ask Volunteer.
I’m keen to support initiatives that promote an open, inclusive environment which is free from bias, prejudice and discrimination, where staff and students are valued and respected and have opportunities to succeed.
I believe EDI provides a powerful mandate for positive change and I look forward to helping our School achieve this, creating and maintaining a teaching and research environment which is welcoming to all and where colleagues and students can flourish and have a sense of belonging.
Contact Kelly Weightman
