Dr Murshed’s work focuses on how education can better support children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who are out of school.

She has excelled – both through her academic work and as author of a weekly newspaper column – in encouraging national education reform. Her research, published in several respected journals, challenges the principle that education is only about economic outcomes, echoing Dr Naveed’s argument for focusing on whether it drives social mobility for all, supports engaged democracy, and promotes human rights.

Dr Murshed has also been involved in government curriculum and learning reforms, has been appointed as an education research consultant by UNICEF and has contributed to flagship research projects on new primary and vocational programmes targeting disadvantaged and out-of-school children and youth. Her book, Nobody’s Children, captures the voices of children who have never gone to school.

Accepting the award via a video call, she described Dr Naveed as an inspiration. “This recognition is a much-needed reminder to keep fighting for what’s right – for achieving equity and justice for those who need it most,” she said. “I thank everyone for joining with Arif bhai to remind me to always, always, choose kindness and strive to be a voice for the voiceless.”

The £1,000 prize recognises peer-reviewed research by a current or past Cambridge Master’s student or doctoral student. Professor Madeleine Arnot, who was one of Dr Naveed’s two PhD supervisors, said: “Rubaiya’s research is well on its way to building pathways to achieve social justice and mobility… Like Arif, she explores structural inequalities and educational and social reform. The award of this prize offers fitting tribute to her career achievements and her mission, which embody so well the spirit and practice that Arif lived by.”

Professor Pauline Rose, Director of the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the Faculty, said: “We wanted to do something specific to recognise Arif here at Cambridge, given how his friendship and scholarship influenced so many of us here. Those who have donated to the prize mentioned common reasons for donating – his mentorship, friendship, kindness and scholarship.”

Alongside Dr Murshed, there were three excellent finalists for the inaugural award. They were Dr Ali Ansari, Dr Camilla Hadi Chaudhary and Dr Irum Maqbool. Each, the event noted, had demonstrated strengths in linking theory to practice and impactful policy-making, scholarly approaches to social inequality and social justice, innovative methodologies, and analysis of effective research and practice in South Asian contexts.

The winner was announced by Professor Kamal Munir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement. Professor Ricardo Sabates accepted the award on behalf of Dr Murshed as her PhD supervisor. The event was also attended by Dr Naveed’s wife, Sana, and their baby daughter, Alyanah.

Applications for the second Arif Naveed Prize will close on 29 January, 2027. Further information can be found here. Please send any queries to REALCentre@educ.cam.ac.uk.