Professor Kendi Guantai

Professor Kendi Guantai is a widely recognised scholar in Ubuntu-Informed community and organisational Leadership as well as Decolonial Praxis in Higher Education. As the Dean for Culture and Inclusion at Lancaster University, she provides strategic oversight for all Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) objectives, driving organisational accountability across staff and student initiatives.

About

Her unique, award-winning academic work is founded on the African onto-epistemological philosophy of Ubuntu, often summarised as “I am because we are.” This principle is the bedrock of her mission to evolve education and business practice away from individualistic, transactional models. Professor Guantai champions a philosophy that prioritises shared humanity, compassion, and collective liberation.

By combining her expertise in Corporate Communication and Community Development, Professor Guantai employs story-based approaches to co-create genuinely equitable environments. This collaborative model offers a pathway for achieving meaningful and sustainable cultural transformation, making her a sought-after international speaker and consultant for institutions looking to move beyond superficial inclusion to deep-seated belonging.