Prof Jason Arday
Academic, writer, and fundraiser
Education Studies and Physical Education, 2008
Academic, writer, and fundraiser Prof Jason Arday has been on a remarkable academic journey which has seen him progress from being unable to read and write at 18, to completing his undergraduate studies at St Mary’s just four years later. In 2023, Jason became one of the youngest people ever appointed to a Professorship at Cambridge University, with his research covering race, education, mental health, and neurodiversity.
“To have been a small part of St Mary’s, in its 175 years of history, makes me feel really proud. It just means the world to me.”
The best place in the world
Jason came to St Mary’s in 2005 to do an undergraduate degree in Education Studies and Physical Education, having learnt to read and write at the age of 18. After graduating in 2008, Jason was elected Athletics President at the Students’ Union where he started the annual Varsity competition against Brunel University which still continues to this day.
Not ready to say goodbye just yet, Jason then went on to complete his first master’s degree at St Mary’s in Education and Pedagogy. In 2024, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his contribution to academic life, his charity work, and the support he has given St Mary’s throughout his career.
“St Mary’s is a very special place to me because, in my humble and slightly biased opinion, I think it's the best place in the world.”
Reflecting on his time at St Mary’s, Jason shares that he met a lot of great people at the University which he sees as an amazing turn of fortune in his life. This included meeting three of the most impactful people on his life; classmate Angela Simmons, and Michael Cobden and Sue Whitham from the Student Services team.
He adds that he has met many kind people at the University, and that kindness resonates throughout the entire institution.
One of Jason’s happiest memories from his years as a student was being on the men’s football first team, and playing in the BUCS Premiere League. Another highlight was the night he became Athletics President at the Students’ Union, which also happened to be on his 23rd birthday.
“It's a really close-knit, welcoming, and inclusive community at St Mary's and it always has had that about it."
After completing his undergraduate and master’s degree at St Mary’s, Jason completed another master’s degree in Education followed by a PhD at Liverpool John Moore’s University.
He then went on to hold academic posts at Durham University and the University of Glasgow, before being appointed a Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Cambridge in 2023. Jason is one of the youngest people to ever be appointed a Professorship in Cambridge’s history.
Outside of academia, Jason has raised £5.5m for over 80 charities, including one fundraising effort which saw him run 30 marathons in 35 days.
“I've been very fortunate in my career to have been given many accolades and awards, but why this one possibly means the most is because it's from St Mary’s.”
Prof Jason Arday receives his Honorary Doctorate from St Mary's.
Almost two decades after Jason first started at St Mary’s, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 2024.
Looking back on his journey from a first-year student to where he is now, Jason shares that St Mary’s gave him the foundations of hard work and discipline, which has seen him through his adult life and career in academia.
When people ask him where has been the best place he’s ever been a part of, Jason always says St Mary’s. He adds that he gained an extended family for life at the University, and that it really is the best place in the world.
“My time at St Mary’s gave me discipline. I was very fortunate to have some really good examples of people who worked very hard. St Mary’s gave me that grounding.”
