My route to academia
News
My route to academia: Dr Emmanuel Nartey
Tuesday, 18 February, 2025Bath Spa University employs experts from a range of specialisms to teach on its wide selection courses. From the Humanities to the Sciences, its academic staff are highly respected in their respective fields and offer a wealth of knowledge and experience.
In this series, we’ll be speaking to BSU academics, gaining valuable insight into their academic journeys.
Dr Emmanuel Kojo Nartey is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Bath Spa University. An accomplished academic, researcher, and world-class athlete, Emmanuel’s journey to BSU and to success, has been anything but straightforward.
Born in Ghana, into a large, impoverished family, Emmanuel describes overcoming immense obstacles to pursue his passions. As a child, he did not attend school, instead working alongside his mother at the local market.
With dreams of a life beyond the constraints of his circumstances, Emmanuel found refuge in sport and turned his hand to judo.
Describing his determination to pursue the sport, Emmanuel said:
“I fell in love with judo. By 3 pm each day, I would leave work, sometimes walking seven miles when I couldn’t afford the bus fare, just to train.”
His dedication paid off and, as a teenager, Emmanuel won both junior and senior national titles. By 2002 he had become the first Ghanaian judoka selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
This achievement marked the beginning of a new chapter, leading to his recruitment by the British Army's Royal Tank Regiment. Later, the army sent Emmanuel to the University of Bath to pursue sports, launching his academic journey.
Emmanuel began by studying for a Higher National Certificate in Business and Management at Bath College, followed by a Foundation Degree in Business and Management at Weston College.
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of the West of England, he decided to add yet another string to his bow, pursuing a Master of Laws in International Trade and Economic Law. All the while, training tirelessly in judo.
Marking a historic moment for his home country, Emmanuel became the first Ghanaian judoka to qualify for the World Championships in Cairo. This was the foundation of a career that saw him win three World Cup gold medals, one silver, three bronze, a European Cup medal, and three Commonwealth medals.
In 2012, he became the first Ghanaian and British Army judoka to compete in the Olympic Games. Discussing what it meant to compete for Ghana, Emmanuel said:
“Before competing for Ghana in the Games, I was presented with the opportunity to represent my adopted country. It was an enticing prospect, but I told the army something that was deeply rooted in my heart: if I competed for Great Britain, I would simply be one of many Olympians or medallists.”
He continued:
“Competing for Ghana meant something far greater—it meant inspiring generations to come. I wanted children in Ghana to look at my journey and see the reflection of their own potential. I wanted them to know that despite hardship, despite the odds stacked against them, they too could dream audaciously and achieve the unimaginable.”
Following university, Emmanuel continued to pursue academia and, in 2023, joined the Law Department at BSU as a Senior Lecturer. Alongside his teaching duties, Emmanuel has had many successes in the world of publishing and continues to balance teaching and research.
Emmanuel reflected on his journey to academia, saying:
“My journey—from a barefoot boy in a bustling market to an Olympian, scholar, and advocate—has taught me that dreams, no matter how audacious, are worth pursuing. Life’s trials are not curses but blessings in disguise, moulding us into vessels for change. This, I believe, is the essence of living a meaningful life.”
This month, Routledge will publish Emmanuel’s latest book Generative AI in Higher Education: Guiding Principles for Teaching and Learning. The book provides a roadmap for ethically integrating Generative AI in education, addressing the opportunities and challenges for institutions.
Currently, Emmanuel is working on his third book, a project focussing on climate change and examining the accountability of multinational corporations in climate change litigation.
He credits BSU and his Law colleagues for supporting his ambitions throughout his career. Expressing his gratitude, Emmanuel said:
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bath Spa University and all those who have been part of this journey. Together, we create not just knowledge but meaning, impact, and hope for a better future.”
Interested in studying Law? Develop your practical and professional skills alongside your knowledge of legal theory with our LLB Law degree.