We are delighted to welcome British sociologist, writer and fundraiser Jason Arday who will join us for an hour of discussion with plenty of opportunity for questions from the audience.

About the talk

In this Science & Society talk, Professor Jason Arday will share his background, experience and perspective on academia. Our EDI Manager Vanessa Sauls will host a Q&A on the sociology of education and recurring issues of marginalisation in the latter. From an academic's perspective, Jason will provide insights on de-centring the self, focusing on community impact over individual achievement, and the structural barriers that may prevent us from doing so.

About the speaker

Jason is a social commentator, presenter, and public speaker. He is currently the Professorial Chair of Education (Sociology of Education) at the University of Cambridge, making him the youngest-ever Black academic to hold a Professorship at Cambridge and one of the youngest academics ever appointed to a Professorial Chair in Oxbridge’s history. 

At three years old Jason was diagnosed with global development delay and autism spectrum disorder. He did not speak until he was eleven years old and could not read or write until he was eighteen. He funded his PhD by working part-time at Sainsbury’s and Boots and full-time as a university lecturer. His professorial appointment in July 2021 at the University of Glasgow made him one of the youngest Professors in the UK. 

Outside of academia, Jason has regularly written, featured, and spoken on issues of race and racism in education and society for The Guardian, Times Higher Education (THE), BBC, ITV News, CNN, and more. Jason also speaks regularly at national and international conferences, as well as parliamentary, public and community events where he consults and advises on race, cultural studies, intersectionality, education, and social justice. His passion for tailoring and guitar music has also led to extensive research on the intersection between social justice, politics, class, and race within the context of music.

In his spare time, Jason is a prolific fundraiser; he has raised over five million pounds for eighty national charities, winning numerous prodigious fundraising awards. His fundraising achievements include running 30 marathons in 35 days, 300 miles in 3 days, and 600 miles in 6 days.

All staff should come along to the Auditorium without needing to register.

Alumni, if you would like to attend this in-person event, please register via CrickConnect and we will arrange a visitor pass for you. We understand that not everyone will be able to attend in person, or would like to use the zoom live transcription service - if this is the case you can request a personal zoom link (also via the sign-up link, which will be sent to you the day before the event).