Stellenbosch University (SU) is proud to announce that Distinguished Professor of Education, Prof Jonathan Jansen, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Division B Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
Prof Wim de Villiers, Stellenbosch University’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated Jansen on the “well-deserved” honour. “On behalf of Stellenbosch University, it’s a pleasure to congratulate Prof Jansen on this prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. This global recognition reflects Prof Jansen’s immense contribution to education research and his unwavering commitment to addressing critical challenges in education both in South Africa and internationally. We are extremely proud to have him as a colleague and celebrate this well-deserved accolade with him.”
For Jansen, this award is deeply personal. Reflecting on the honour, he shared a poignant memory: “As a young graduate student, I used to be filled with pride when my Stanford professors won the Lifetime Achievement Award of the premier educational research organisation in the world, the American Educational Research Association,” Jansen said. “To now be the 2025 recipient is therefore an enormous grace which I receive with joy ever mindful of those who made this possible for me, including the very generous support for my research labours from Stellenbosch University.”
A life dedicated to education and change
Jansen’s career has been defined by his ability to navigate complex educational environments, transforming schools and universities while fostering equity, inclusion and excellence. Having earned his doctorate from Stanford University, he is widely celebrated for his research on the politics of education, curriculum change and leadership in divided societies. As a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Jansen led the institution through transformative reconciliation processes following the controversial Reitz Four incident. He also played a key role in addressing the nationwide Fees Must Fall campaign, balancing student concerns with institutional sustainability.
Beyond the university setting, Jansen’s recent work exemplifies his deep commitment to social justice and community impact. In January 2024, he began working with Crestway High School in Retreat after it recorded the Western Cape’s lowest matric pass rate of 35%. Driven by his passion for education and a personal connection to the community where he grew up, Jansen worked closely with the school’s dedicated staff to implement a turnaround strategy. Within a year, the matric pass rate rose to 66% – a remarkable improvement fuelled by early morning lessons, mentorship and fostering a culture of excellence.
Jansen’s latest accolade adds to a long list of international and local awards recognising his contributions to education and society. In 2023, he was formally inducted as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
While juggling his commitments at SU, where he leads impactful research projects and mentors emerging academics, Jansen continues to demonstrate his belief in the power of education to transform lives and bridge divides.
- The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Jansen during the AERA’s annual conference in Denver, Colorado, on 24 April.
