Winner of the 2023 Being Edinburgh Award

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Henry is a former Mastercard Foundation scholar at the University. Since graduating, he has shown commitment to creating educational opportunities for children from low-income communities, and established the not-for-profit organisation Sharing Life Africa, supporting thousands of young people to get the most out of their education.

Henry also currently leads strategic communications at Teach for All, an organisation that also promotes equal access to education for children. We spoke to Henry about his work and how it feels to be a Being Edinburgh award winner.

I was overjoyed when I heard I had won the award, and I felt deeply honoured to be recognised in this way. Even now, I feel that my words can't fully convey the extent of my gratitude. I am thankful to Roy Biddle, the University staff member who put forward my nomination for the award. I had seen the call for nominations earlier in the year but never imagined myself in such a position. But a few days later, Roy reached out with a message insisting that my story and work deserved a chance here.

However, I must say that I stand on the shoulders of communities without which I would not be here. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University funded my studies in Edinburgh and provided me with the opportunity to immerse myself in my research unencumbered by financial constraints. I am also grateful for the reflective and leadership spaces the programme offered, which allowed me to develop the leadership skills necessary to lead a life and work of impact.

And my team at Sharing Life Africa deserves my deepest gratitude for their dedication and commitment to our shared mission of building better communities. I am blessed to have them as both colleagues and friends.

Henry Anumudu

Henry also spoke about his fond memories of studying at the University of Edinburgh:

I have incredibly fond memories of my time as a student at the University of Edinburgh. But one that stands out is the tremendous support I received from fellow students and faculty while navigating my academic life.

A prime example of this support occurred when I was trying to articulate my research interests during my dissertation writing process. I had access to professors from the School of Social and Political Science and the Moray House School of Education and Sport. These professors generously offered their time, listening to me as I struggled to shape my research focus, and provided invaluable advice that ultimately led to a stellar work. This particular memory is representative of the loving community and support I found in Edinburgh.

Henry Anumdu

Prof Richard Baxstrom, Deputy Head of School, School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh, congratulated Henry:

The School of Social and Political Science (SPS) is delighted to learn that Henry Anumudu has received the 2023 Being Edinburgh award. A graduate of our MSc in Africa and International Development programme and a Mastercard Foundation Scholar during his time in SPS, Henry’s tireless dedication to supporting young people through Sharing Life Africa and to advancing multinational education generally via his work for Teach For All stands as an outstanding example of his personal drive and creativity and as a superb model for what our alumni are able to achieve following their time with us in Edinburgh. Henry was an outstanding student and highly engaged member of the SPS community during his time with us and we are very proud and pleased that he has received this prestigious award for his exceptional achievements in global education.

Prof Richard Baxstrom

Being Edinburgh

We would like to thank everyone who voted and campaigned for all four outstanding candidates, all of whom garnered enthusiastic support in the voting.

Related links

Interview with Henry in Enlightened magazine

School of Social and Political Science

Alumni Services

Sharing Life Africa (external)