Michael McGrath has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire in recognition of his motivational and inspirational work with persons with disability.

Described as one of the most influential disabled people in Britain, Michael McGrath was awarded with a Doctor of Arts at a ceremony on Monday 3 September, held at St Albans Abbey.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire. Through the work of my charity and as a speaker, my disability has effectively become a passport for purpose, compassion and hope. My message to today’s Computer Science graduates and young people across the country is simply this – with today’s world of algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) and the rapid advancement of technology, the discovery of your purpose is vital – fundamentally, this is about how you contribute in giving your time to others and being sure you allow the virtues of compassion, generosity and kindness to rise up as your personal and professional lives unfold. It is these virtues as opposed to today or tomorrow’s technologies that lie at the centre of our humanity, ultimately what gives our lives meaning,” said Michael.

Michael, who lives in Buntingford, near Hertford, faced head-on the challenge of being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of eighteen and became the first disabled person to lead successful expeditions to both the North and South Poles – the North Pole in April 2002 and the South Pole in January 2004.

Since then, Michael has established the Hertfordshire-based charity, The Muscle Help Foundation, which helps children and young people with muscular dystrophy to realise their ambitions – their ‘muscle dreams’. The Muscle Help Foundation is a three-times winner of the ‘Inspiring Hertfordshire’ Award for Best Social Enterprise of the Year.

Able Magazine editor Tom Jamison, said: “This is an honour that Micheal really deserves. His energy and enthusiasm continue to inspire anyone that has the good fortune to work with him. His positive attitude is a true beacon.”

Michael is an internationally recognised motivational business speaker and has been widely acknowledged for his achievements and his work. Among other recognitions he has received, for the last three years he has featured in the Power 100 for Britain’s most influential people with a disability and in 2016 he received the Inspiring Communicator National Award.

About the University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire is a vibrant, inclusive, campus-based institution with a vision to be internationally renowned as the UK’s leading business-facing university. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel. All courses are underpinned by industry insight and powerful research ensuring our student community is equipped with the skills and attributes for successful professional lives. The University has excellent progression rates to employment – 96.5% of students are in employment or further study six months after graduating* – and its teaching expertise has recently been awarded the top gold ranking in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2018. It is one of the top 150 universities in the world under 50 years old, according to the new Times Higher Education 150 under 50 rankings 2018.