Cox [née Leadbeater] was born in 1974 in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. She attended Heckmondwike Grammar School, where she was head girl, before matriculating at Pembroke College in 1992. She first studied Archaeology and Anthropology, and then changed to Social and Political Science. She graduated in 1995.

Cox’s career began as a political adviser, before working at Oxfam for seven years. She subsequently worked with numerous charities and aid organisations. Cox also became active in Labour politics and in 2015 she was elected MP of her home constituency, Batley and Spen. Throughout her charity work and political career, she campaigned on humanitarian and social issues both in the UK and internationally. She especially worked for women and children’s protection, as well as support for immigrants and those living through conflict.

Cox was killed in 2016 while preparing for a constituency surgery in Birstall. In her memory, the College raised funds for a postgraduate scholarship: the Jo Cox Studentship in Refugee and Migration Studies, which was awarded for the first time in 2017.

In 2022 the College unveiled a portrait of Cox, painted by the artist Clara Drummond. FOr access to the portrait, pleaase contact the College Curator.