I saw Jason Arday give a keynote at the Social Research Association conference last month. His talk was passionate, inclusive, and humorous, with no sign of the storm raging around him except that he asked for his keynote not to be recorded. Later, as I left the building, I saw him a few steps ahead of me and asked if I could walk with him to the tube. I told him about a journal article I had written with Lucy Pickering about research ethics reform, and asked if I could send it to him. He welcomed my request, and we talked non-stop. He asked me to keep in touch, and said something about needing to find his people outside academia; I said I would be glad to help with that. As the train was arriving into King’s Cross, he stood up and grasped my hand warmly, and told me to keep doing what I’m doing. I said the same back to him.
I emailed him at Cambridge the next day. After a couple of weeks I wrote to him at Cambridge. There is a letter on my printer, which I wrote yesterday, that I planned to send to him today via his agent.
I feel desperately, desperately sad and angry that racism and ableism have hounded this warm, vulnerable, insightful, kind man right out of his life. And I only met him once. How much more must his family and friends be feeling?
Feeling sad and angry is OK in these circumstances. But, you know what? If you’re feeling angry too, let’s use the energy of that anger to fuel positive change. Here are some things we can do:
White folks: inform ourselves about the impact of racism – and if we’ve done that, do it some more.
Most folks: inform ourselves about the impact of ableism, including on those with hidden disabilities – and if we’ve done that, do it some more.
Order Jason Arday’s autobiography which will be out later this month. If you can’t afford to buy it, get it from a library. Read it. Leave an honest review. If you can afford to, buy a copy or two for someone who can’t afford it, or who might simply be interested. Tell people about it. Give it to people for birthdays and festivals. We have the power to make this book a bestseller; let’s use it.
If you work in academia or the media, do what you can to help reform those organisations. If you don’t – or even if you do – sign the petition for the Avaaz campaign UK Media: Stop The Hate.
I hope someone close to Jason Arday will set up a fund in his memory for a cause he cared deeply about. If that happens, I will contribute, and – if you are in a position to do so – you could too.
There is another option for action from Juliet Hall in the comments. Over 180 articles were produced by the media in the nine days between Professor Arday’s resignation from Cambridge and his death. NewsCord is co-ordinating formal complaints to the relevant outlets. It takes a few moments to send yours through their page. I have just done that. I hope you will join me.
These are just some ideas to start with. I understand and share the outpouring of rage and grief. But, in Jason’s memory, let’s use the depth of our feelings about his tragic death as a lever to make changes he would value.
Other thoughts welcome in comments.
In solidarity.
Helen Kara 
Thanks for this post Helena. I didn’t want to look at the LinkedIn and other socials chat about this tragedy, but had wondered about what I could do practically to respond in a positive way. Your suggestions have resonated and as a start I have ordered Professor Jason Arday’s book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Alison. It is hard to know what to do at times like these, and I understand your desire to avoid the social media minefield. I’m glad my suggestions resonated. Take care x
LikeLike
Thank you for writing this Helen. I also heard Jason give an inspiring keynote and worked with him in connection with our research on neurodiversity and adolescent mental health. He was very supportive of the OUP collection but, regrettably, wasn’t able to contribute and in our conversations about that he shared his concern about the discrimination he was experiencing. He would also have been a potential supervisor for a scholarship grant (unsuccessful) which would have prioritised PhD scholars from under-represented groups in academia. We weren’t funded but Jason was passionate about the endeavour. I really hope that something positive can come from this tragedy and appreciate you sewing those seeds….
Very best wishes,
Nickie
Professor Dr Nicola Shaughnessy
Professor of Performance, School of Arts and Architecture; Academic Co-Director, Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries University of Kent n.shaughnessy@kent.ac.uk London and South East University Group kent.ac.uk [Image]
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Nickie. He had so much to offer. He wanted to help create positive change, so it makes sense to me that we come together and do what we can in that direction in his memory. Hope to see you soon. Take care x
LikeLike
Thank you. I never met Jason, but I have been deeply saddened by the press coverage of him in recent weeks and by his tragic death.
Z
Zoe Connor (she/hershttps://pronouns.org/what-and-why) Usual working days Tues, Thurs, Fri
[A button with “Hear my name” text for name playback in email signature]https://www.name-coach.com/zoe-connor PhD student | NIHR Doctoral Fellow | School of Psychology | College of Health and Life Sciences | Aston University | Aston Street | Birmingham | B4 7ET | Student ID: 220240505 | Email: zconn22@aston.ac.ukzconn22@aston.ac.uk | Project: Development of a toolkit to help parents/carers manage feeding problems in autistic children (NIHR302307)https://tinyurl.com/zcresearch | ORCID profilehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3970-7404 | PEACh Research Group (Psychology of Eating in Adults and Children) | Applied Health Research Group | Aston Institute of Health And Neurodevelopment
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I think his death is a massive loss for all of us.
LikeLike
thank you for sending this. I did not know Prof Arday but I am heartbroken by this absolute tragedy. You can also take action by complaint to mainstream media using NewsCord https://newscord.org/action/jason-arday-pile-on
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Juliet, that’s useful to know. I have done it and will pass the information on.
LikeLike