Cambridge's youngest-ever Black professor didn't speak until he was 11
Summary
Jason Arday, diagnosed with autism and speech delay as a child, has become the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge. He plans to focus on increasing diversity in higher education and help more Black and minority ethnic people succeed in academia.Key Facts
- Jason Arday was diagnosed with autism and global development delay at age three and could not speak until he was 11.
- He learned to read and write by age 18 and was supported by his mother through music and encouragement.
- Arday earned a college degree in education and physical education, two master’s degrees, and a PhD while working retail jobs to fund his studies.
- He was recently appointed as the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge, specializing in sociology of education.
- Only about 1% of professors in the UK are Black, with 160 Black professors out of nearly 23,000 total.
- Arday’s work will focus on the lack of Black and minority ethnic representation in higher education.
- He believes it is important for students to see professors who look like them and aims to promote diversity in global academia.
- Arday describes his teaching style as based on love, solidarity, and understanding.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.