School of Education

Professor Mel Ainscow CBE has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) by the University of Murcia, Spain. The award will be formally conferred at a ceremony on 4 June 2026.

The honour recognises Professor Ainscow’s outstanding international contribution to the field of education, particularly his pioneering work on inclusive education, equity, and school improvement, helping to reshape global understanding of how education systems can better serve all learners, especially those at risk of exclusion.

In the official laudatio, the University of Murcia highlights Professor Ainscow’s influence in moving concepts such as inclusion and educational justice to the centre of educational policy worldwide. His work has been instrumental in shifting thinking away from viewing student differences as deficits, towards understanding and removing institutional barriers within schools.

Professor Ainscow has worked extensively with schools, policymakers, and international organisations, including UNESCO, to promote collaborative approaches to educational improvement. He is also co-creator of the widely used Index for Inclusion, a framework that supports schools in developing more inclusive practices.

The University also recognised Professor Ainscow’s long-standing collaboration with researchers and educators in Murcia, which has contributed significantly to the development of inclusive education in the region and across Spain.

This honorary degree celebrates not only a distinguished academic career, but also Professor Ainscow’s enduring commitment to education as a democratic and ethical endeavour - ensuring that all children and young people have the opportunity to participate, learn, and succeed.