Abimbola Alao

Biography
Abimbola Gbemi Alao is a literary scholar and author. Abimbola was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. She studied at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where she obtained a BA (Hon) degree in classics in 1988 and an MA Classics in 1991. She later studied PGCE and MA in creative writing at the University of Plymouth in 2001 and 2009 respectively. She earned her PhD in 2023 at the University of Lapland, Lapin yliopisto in Finland. Her research focuses on the prevalence of Frontotemporal Dementia, and how to raise awareness of FTD for early diagnosis.

She is the author of Desert Haiku (2023), Dear Toriola, Let's Talk About Perimenopause (2019), Trickster Tales for Telling (2016), How to Enhance Your Storytelling With Music (2016),The Legendary Weaver: New Edition, a young-adult fiction book (2003 and 2011), and The Goshen Principle: A Shelter in the Time of Storm (2010). She has also written numerous poems, short stories and plays. In 2008, her short play, 'Legal Stuff', won the BBC and Royal Court Theatre '24 Degrees' Writing Competition. In 2011–2012, she wrote a collection of fables for KidsOut World Stories; this project won the 2013 Talk Talk Digital Heroes award for the East of England. She is a children's book translator and her work includes translation of the classics: 'Hansel and Gretel', 'The Little Red Hen and the Grain of Wheat' and several other books, published by Mantra Lingua publishers.

Abimbola was a tutor at the Institute of Education, University of Plymouth, from 2003 to 2007. In 2007, she was appointed as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of St Mark & St John (MARJON), Plymouth, where she taught for 11 years. A recipient of Plymouth's 2017 Mayflower Scholarship, she continued her research on the efficacy of psychosocial intervention for dementia.

Abimbola is a visiting lecturer and lead provider of 'StoryWeavers for Dementia', a Special Study Unit (SSU) in Medical Humanities, at the Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth. The program, developed by Abimbola, explores non-pharmacological approach to dementia care. It is offered to people who live with various forms of dementia. In 2015, Abimbola collaborated with the Alzheimer's Society to run a 12-week project with service users in memory cafes. This culminated in an anthology titled, 'Narrative Adventures from Plymouth Memory Cafes'. In January 2014, Stoke Damerel College in Plymouth participated in StoryWeavers for Dementia; the school won the Prime Minister's Dementia Friendly Award: Schools Category in May 2014.

Abimbola is a regular guest on BBC Radio Devon.

Awards

 * 2022, Winner The Box Plymouth After Dark Project.
 * 2005, BBC 'Breeze' bursary award.
 * 2008, Royal Court Theatre '24 Degrees' Writing Competition.

Live performances
Abimbola is a speaker at literary events. She also performs Storytelling, Radio Musicals and Poetry on stage. Her audience includes children, young adults and adults.

Fiction and Non-Fiction

 * Desert Haiku (2023, ISBN 978-1916266827)
 * Dear Toriola, Let's Talk About Perimenopause (2019, ISBN 978-0954625580)
 * Trickster Tales for Telling (2016, ISBN 9780954625542)
 * How to Enhance Your Storytelling With Music (2016, ISBN 9781452003139)
 * The Legendary Weaver: New Edition (2011, ISBN 9780954625504)
 * The Goshen Principle: A Shelter in the Time of Storm (2010, ISBN 9781452003139)
 * World Stories (2011)
 * The Legendary Weaver (2003, ISBN 9780954625504)

Translations

 * Hansel and Gretel: "Hansel ati Gretel" Dual Language Yoruba translation by Abimbola Alao. (2005) Mantra Lingua.
 * The little Red Hen and the Grains of Wheat: Adie Pupa Kekere ati Eso Alikama' Dual Language Yoruba translation by Abimbola Alao. (2005) Mantra Lingua.
 * Floppy's Friends:  "Awon ore e Floppy" Dual Language Yoruba translation by Abimbola Alao. (2004) Mantra Lingua.
 * Nita Goes to Hospital:  'Nita lo si ile iwosan' Dual Language Yoruba translation by Abimbola Alao. (2005) Mantra Lingua.
 * Grandma's Saturday Soup:  'Obe Ojo Abameta Mama Agba' Dual Language Yoruba translation by Abimbola Alao. (2005) Mantra Lingua.
 * Welcome to the world baby:  'Kaabo sinu aye Omo titun' Dual Language Yoruba translation by Abimbola Alao. (2005) Mantra Lingua.
 * My Talking Dictionary & Interactive CD ROM Yoruba & English – Yoruba translation by Abimbola Alao. (2005) Mantra Lingua.