A renowned sociologist who could not read or write until the age of 18 is set to become the youngest black professor at the University of Cambridge in England.
Jason Arday, 37, was diagnosed with developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder at the age of 3. According to The Guardian, he didn’t start speaking until he was 11.
Arday will become a professor of sociology of education next month and hopes his story will inspire others who, like him, come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education.
“My work initially focuses on how we can open doors to more people from disadvantaged backgrounds and really democratize higher education,” he explained.
“I hope to be in a place like Cambridge gives me the opportunity to lead this program nationally and globally,” he added.
Arday was born and raised in Clapham. He has three siblings. Until the age of 11 he communicated in sign language. The specialists repeated to his family that he would unduly need support all his life.
The message he wants to convey is: “Anything is possible”. “I knew I didn’t necessarily have a lot of talent, but I knew how badly I wanted it and how hard I wanted to work,” added the aspiring teacher, who will take up his post in March.