Professor Jason Arday 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.

Jason’s personal journey has shaped much of his outlook and commitment to social justice. He has spoken openly about the challenges he faced growing up and how these experiences influenced his determination to pursue higher education. He supported himself during his studies by working part-time while completing his PhD, later achieving a Professorial appointment at the University of Glasgow in July 2021. He also holds an Honorary Professorship at Durham University and Visiting Professorships at The Ohio State University, Coventry University, University of Glasgow, and Nelson Mandela University.

Beyond academia, Jason is a Trustee of the Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading race equality think tank, and the British Sociological Association (BSA). He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), sits on the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS) national advisory panel, and contributes to the NHS Race and Health Observatory Academic Reference Group.

Jason regularly writes, features, and speaks on issues of race and racism in education and society, contributing to platforms such as The Guardian, Times Higher Education (THE), BBC, ITV News, and CNN. He frequently presents 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 music has also inspired research on the intersection between social justice, politics, class, and race within the context of popular culture.

In addition to his academic and public work, Jason has contributed to a range of charitable initiatives and community projects, and he continues to be recognised for his commitment to creating positive social impact.