University of Leicester honours charity chief for raising the ambitions of hundreds of thousands of young people

The co-founder of a social mobility charity devoted to raising young people’s educational aspirations has received an honorary award from the University of Leicester.

Dr Rachel Carr OBE accepted an honorary Doctorate of Letters at a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall, today (Thursday 15 January).

Dr Carr is chief executive of IntoUniversity, which was founded in 2002 to address the barriers preventing young people from the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods reaching their potential. Initially set up in London, the charity runs local learning centres and provides academic support, aspiration-building activities and mentoring. A key feature is that it starts working with children aged seven and provides them with long-term support.

IntoUniversity now runs 46 centres across England and Scotland and, since its founding, has helped more than 250,000 young people. In 2023 IntoUnivesity opened a centre in Beaumont Leys, in partnership with the University of Leicester and De Montfort University.

Dr Carr said: “It's such a privilege to receive this honour from the University of Leicester – one of IntoUniversity's key partners in running our learning centre in the city where together we support thousands of young people each year achieve their wonderful potential.”

Dr Carr grew up in Edge, a small village in Gloucestershire where her primary school teacher inspired her and identified her academic potential.

After studying at Stroud High School, she became the first person in her family to attend university when she was accepted onto the BA in English at King’s College London. Dr Carr flourished at King’s, remaining there for her Masters and her PhD in 19th century popular fiction by women, which she completed while teaching at the University of West London.

Ten years after co-founding IntoUniversity, Dr Carr was awarded an OBE for her services to education in 2012.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, said: “Dr Carr’s vision to open up the world of education to young people in disadvantaged areas has been a phenomenal success, with IntoUniversity helping more than a quarter-of-a-million people to date.

“The University of Leicester, together with our colleagues at De Montfort University, recognised the impact Dr Carr and her team had been making, and it led to both institutions becoming partners with IntoUniversity. Together we are helping to raise the ambitions of young people right here in the city of Leicester.

“Dr Carr’s impact means she is a true Citizen of Change and her exceptional legacy makes her thoroughly deserving of this honour.”