Professor Nishan Canagarajah, the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, has been awarded a knighthood in the prestigious 2026 King's New Year Honours list. The honour recognises his profound and lasting impact on higher education, with a particular focus on championing inclusion and creating a fairer society through learning.
A Career Defined by Inclusive Leadership
Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Canagarajah has demonstrated an unwavering belief in education as a powerful tool for social change. As the first minority ethnic Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester—located in the UK's first plural city—he has consistently used his position to amplify underrepresented voices and dismantle barriers to opportunity.
Under his leadership, the University of Leicester has become one of the country's most diverse institutions. Thirty-eight per cent of its students come from the most disadvantaged areas, and 69 per cent are from minority ethnic backgrounds. His commitment is further evidenced by establishing Leicester's first IntoUniversity centre, a initiative that has secured major philanthropic funding and supported over 1,000 disadvantaged young people.
Professor Canagarajah has also reshaped the university's leadership, appointing its first female Chancellor, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and creating an inclusive senior team that includes two female Deputy Vice-Chancellors.
Driving Civic and National Impact
His influence extends far beyond the campus. Professor Canagarajah founded a Civic Universities Partnership, securing more than £3 million for local community projects. As a leader of a University of Sanctuary, he has provided crucial support for refugees and academics from conflict zones, including Ukraine and Palestine.
These efforts have been mirrored by significant institutional accolades. During his tenure, the University of Leicester has received three University of the Year awards, achieved a Teaching Excellence Framework Gold rating, and risen to the top 30 in the Research Excellence Framework.
Nationally, he has contributed through key roles, most recently serving as Chair of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) in 2025. He is also the former Chair of The Conversation and a former board member of Universities UK.
International Recognition and Personal Journey
Internationally, Professor Canagarajah has been a trailblazer for the university, forging mutually beneficial partnerships in countries including Thailand, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, the USA, and Canada. A notable new partnership was established with the Apollo Hospitals Group in India. His expertise led to an invitation to join the largest-ever UK government trade mission to India, led by the Prime Minister.
Reflecting on the knighthood, Professor Canagarajah said, "This honour is a recognition of the efforts of so many others who have contributed to my success. As a boy from a once war-torn land to being recognised by royalty is quite a remarkable journey. It is because of the transformative power of education that this has been possible."
Colleagues were quick to praise his leadership. Former Chair of Council, Gary Dixon, commended his "unwavering commitment" and "passion for education’s ability to improve lives." The current Chancellor, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, stated, "He is enlightened, empathetic and a humanitarian at heart... All of this is not by chance. It is born out of purposeful leadership."
Professor Canagarajah, originally from Sri Lanka, was educated at the University of Cambridge. He built his academic career at the University of Bristol in various engineering and leadership roles before assuming his position at Leicester on 4 November 2019. He is an internationally recognised researcher in signal processing and is married with three children.
