Meet Olabanke: Performer, Artist-Scholar, and Multidisciplinary Ph.D. Student
Olabanke Goriola is an artist-scholar, creator, multi-disciplinary PhD candidate in the Department of Performance Studies, and an Edward Bouchet Honor Society member at Northwestern University. Olabanke’s writing and research explore the intricate intersections of Colorism, Dance, Performance, Media Representation, Black women’s labor, identity politics, and skin-bleaching practices. She explores the sacrifices dark-skinned Nigerian female performers make to attain cultural belonging and interrogates the media’s role in perpetuating Euro-American beauty standards. Her work critically analyzes how societal pressures shape self-representation and embodiment and how identities and bodies become sites of negotiation and resistance. Her interdisciplinary approach blends academic inquiry with creative expression, utilizing storytelling, performance, and visual media to interrogate themes of race, identity, and aesthetics.
Featured: Parallel Perspective
Skills and Expertise
Besides her scholarly and artistic practices, she occupies administrative positions at Northwestern University, such as the Assistant Chair of the Public Affairs Residential College (PARC) where she assists with the college’s administration, programming, and community-building aspects; Graduate student representative in the Department of Performance Studies, acting as a liaison between the students and faculty; and a Reflective Teaching Guide (RTG) at the Northwestern University’s SEARLE Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching where she mentors twenty graduate students undergoing the Teaching Certificate program. Olabanke has presented her academic work at international conferences such as Performance Studies international (PSi) in London, the Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS) in Montreal, and the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance (ICTMD) in Ghana.
Performing Research and Redefining Representation
Research and Analysis
With expertise in research and analysis, I am skilled at identifying key insights and trends across a range of fields, from cultural studies to sociology to media representation.
Performance Studies
As a performance studies scholar, I bring a unique perspective to my work, informed by my background in dance, theater, and cultural studies, and grounded in rigorous academic training.
Multidisciplinary Approach
Event Administration
With experience in event administration, I am skilled at organizing and executing complex events, from conferences to performances, with a focus on attention to detail and seamless execution.
My Projects and Research
Her doctoral research focuses on colorism, skin bleaching practices, and the perpetuation of Eurocentric beauty standards on dark-skinned female performers in Nigeria. Olabanke leverages the power of social media to inspire and encourage academic motivation, advocate for a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and promote self-development. By creating and sharing engaging content, she seeks to empower individuals to reach their academic potential, prioritize their well-being, and continuously grow and develop personally and professionally. Through her online presence, she aims to foster a supportive community that values education, wellness, and self-improvement.
Multidisciplinary Approach
5 Years
Performance Studies
5 Years
Get in Touch
- Learn more about my projects and research
- Explore opportunities for collaboration
- Discuss possibilities for speaking engagements