Our response to the death of Professor Jason Arday

We are deeply saddened by the death of Professor Jason Arday, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, students and all those whose lives he touched.

At SOS UK, the organisation behind The RACE Report, we believe this is a moment for compassion, humility and togetherness. But the anger and frustration is very real for many of us and those we work with and for. Whatever debates surround an individual life, Jason Arday’s death must not become a symbol used to diminish the aspirations of Black students, neurodivergent students, or any young person from a background still too rarely represented in our universities and institutions. We are not shy about recognising the lack of racial and neurodiversity and inclusion within academia, or within the sustainability and environmental sectors in which we work. There is still much to do.

Nor should we accept a false choice between excellence and inclusion. Talent exists everywhere; opportunity does not. We want the next generation of currently underrepresented and underappreciated to be able to say with confidence: we are just as talented, just as deserving of the opportunity to contribute, to lead and to take our places at the table.  And we want them to know that they can attain those positions on merit, even when some have had to build that merit against much greater odds. May Jason’s life be a fire that guides those who come next: towards learning, ambition, service and the belief that places which once seemed closed to them can be opened.

We wish the Arday family peace in their grief, and hope there is some comfort in knowing that many thousands of young people will continue striving for a fairer and more inclusive future, with his life and example as an anchor.

With common purpose, compassion and humility, we keep going together.

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If you’re finding this news and commentary difficult, or you’re feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, you can contact the following organisations:

• The Samaritans is a charity providing free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whatever you are experiencing. Call free from any phone on 116 123.
• Shout is a confidential text service available 24 hours a day. It is free to text from any phone. To start a conversation, text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.

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