Jason Arday

Jason is a renowned scholar of race, inequality and education who in March 2023 became the youngest Black professor ever appointed at the University of Cambridge as he took up the role of Professorial Chair of Education (Sociology of Education). 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. Eight years ago, he was still working part-time in Sainsbury’s to fund his PhD.

From a council estate in Clapham to the hallowed halls of our most prestigious academic institution, Jason has constantly battled adversity to achieve what he has. With resilience, self-belief, an ability to sit with uncertainty and the support of incredible people Jason has managed to accomplish something amazing. Jason shares his experiences and the lessons he’s learned along the way about confronting adversity and teaching oneself to exist comfortably in the unknown and unexpected.

Whether it’s running 30 marathons in 35 days or becoming the youngest ever professor at Cambridge, there is always a cost to achieving your goals. Jason shares the experience and wisdom he’s gathered over a lifetime spent in the relentless pursuit of excellence and teaches audiences how to recognise and avoid the pitfalls that can burn you out and prevent you from getting where you want to be. Everything is possible.

Jason’s story is a lesson in how people can succeed differently and that the typical path to success shouldn’t be the only one. At an early age Jason was told to hide his neurodiversity and at school was written off by most of his teachers who thought he’d never be able to reach the level of his peers and had nothing to offer the world. He learned how to make his differences a positive and shares that wisdom with audiences.

Jason is a Trustee of the Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading race equality thinktank, and the British Sociological Association (BSA). He sits on the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS) national advisory panel and the NHS Race and Health Observatory Academic Reference Group. Jason is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). Outside of academia, he 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. Fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging is crucial to building strong and successful relationships, companies and cultures. Race equality demands action not ideology and Jason’s academic work focuses on practical ways to make change. He considers how change that we enable today can have a real and valuable impact in the work place and beyond.

Jason’s presence, charisma and truly unique insights always make for a compelling and inspiring event.

Burnout, Adversity, Resilience, Neurodiversity, Diversity and Inclusion