PhD success stories: Oluwabunmi Adaramola (2026)

In this interview with Oluwabunmi, we learn more about her path to doctoral success and explore her future aspirations in academia.

What is the title of your thesis? 

Regulating Virtual Money in the New Millennium: Assessing the Legal, Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Cryptocurrency-based Money Laundering in Nigeria through Smart Enforcement, Reflexive Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Approaches. 

Can you give a short description of your thesis? 

My research broadly examines how regulatory institutions in Nigeria respond to cryptocurrency-enabled money laundering, interrogating the limits of traditional anti-money laundering frameworks in decentralised financial systems and proposing reflexive regulatory and enforcement innovations grounded in a multi-stakeholder approach.  

Who were your supervisors and how did they support your work?  

I was supervised by Professor Andy Campbell (Professor of International Banking and Finance Law) and Dr Steven Montagu-Cairns (Associate Professor in Banking & Corporate Law).  

My supervisors were excellent: they provided consistent, detailed and responsive supervision throughout my time, particularly through feedback and guidance when I encountered challenges.

What was your experience of your viva and who were your examiners? 

My viva was quite thorough and robust, as it gave me a chance to discuss and elaborate on ideas and arguments raised in my thesis. My internal examiner was Dr Clare Patton, and my external examiner was Dr Matthew Shillito (Lancaster University). 

Oluwabunmi standing outside the Great Hall, holding her bound thesis.

Did you have any academic or non-academic partners? 

I didn’t have any formal academic or non-academic partners in the course of my PhD, but I did collaborate with the Global South Dialogue on Economic Crimes where I presented my research at their 2024 symposium and published a special issue paper in the Journal of Economic Criminology through.  

What pathway did you take?  

I started my PhD full time in October 2022 and submitted in April 2026, while working part time as a Module Assistant in the School of Law, invigilating during exam seasons and working casually as a Link to Leeds Student Ambassador.  

What were your biggest wins? 

Publishing another journal paper in the Journal of Economic Criminology, as well as another output in Macquarie University’s Financial Integrity Hub across the second and third year of my PhD. Presenting my research at international conferences in Nigeria and Morocco and within the UK. Serving as the Managing Editor for the Leeds Student Law and Criminal Justice Review in the 2025/26 academic year.  

Where are you from, and what was your journey to Leeds? 

I am originally from Nigeria. I began studying in Leeds as an undergraduate student all the way back in 2015 on the LLB (Hons) programme, and thoroughly enjoyed my time in the School of Law, which undoubtedly convinced me to continue on the LLM (International Corporate Law) Masters Programme in 2018 and then to begin my PhD in 2022.  

Oluwabunmi Adaramola standing outside the School of Law in June 2018, holding her third Year Dissertation.

What was your experience of being a PGR?  

My experience as a PGR was, overall, challenging but enriching, as it required me to take ownership of my project from top to bottom.

I had the opportunity to attend conferences hosted by the Centre for Business Law and Practice (CBLP) within the school of Law and also attend networking and social events hosted by the Doctoral College which was an opportunity to meet other PGRs across departments and faculties in the university which I think made my PGR experience less lonely and more exciting.  

What are the next steps for your career? 

With regards to my next stage, I aim to further develop an academic practice where my research and teaching are closely connected, using research to inform innovative pedagogical approaches. 

Dr Steven Montagu-Cairns, Oluwabunmi’s supervisor, says: 

Bunmi has been an exceptional PhD candidate, it has been a genuine privilege to supervise her doctoral journey. Her research has been consistently excellent, innovative and ambitious, making an important contribution to her field. Throughout her PhD, she has demonstrated tremendous dedication, intellectual curiosity and determination. I am incredibly proud of everything she has achieved and I have no doubt that this is only the beginning. I fully expect Bunmi to go on to achieve even greater things.

Further Information 

Learn more about Oluwabunmi’s academic journey on LinkedIn.  

Are you interested in following in the footsteps of Oluwabunmi? Learn more about our postgraduate research programmes and scholarships here.