King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) officers have issued a statement following the death of Professor Jason Arday, paying tribute to his work in higher education and offering support to students affected by his passing.
In the statement posted on Instagram, KCLSU officers said they were “deeply saddened” by the news and extended their condolences to Professor Arday’s “family, friends, students, colleagues and all those affected by his passing”.
Professor Arday was a prominent sociologist and academic, whose work focused on racial inequality within higher education and the barriers faced by students and scholars from under-represented and marginalised backgrounds.
He previously held professorships at the University of Glasgow and Durham University. In 2023, aged 37, he became the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge, where he served as Professor of Sociology of Education.
Professor Arday died aged 41 earlier this month. Further details surrounding his death and the events preceding it can be read here.
KCLSU officers described Arday as a “pioneering educator, scholar and advocate for equality in higher education”.
The statement also acknowledged that his death may be felt “particularly deeply by Black students and members of our King’s community”. It directed students affected by the news towards KCLSU Advice & Wellbeing and King’s Counselling & Mental Health Support Service.
Concluding their tribute, the officers said: “Professor Arday’s contribution will be remembered, and his commitment to equality, inclusion and opportunity will continue to inspire students, educators and communities across the sector.”
A spokesperson for King’s College London said:
“Our deepest sympathies are with Jason Arday’s family, friends, colleagues and all those affected by his death. We know that this tragic news will affect our community in many different ways, and can bring up difficult feelings, and we encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out for support through our wellbeing and counselling services or our chaplaincy, which provides non-judgmental free listening and advice for people of all faiths and none.“
About the author
