18/08/2026
Many of you know me as the face behind JEZ, but outside of the kitchen, I am also a nurse and an academic.
Today, I feel compelled to speak not as a business owner, but as a Black academic.
I am deeply saddened at the death of Professor Jason Arday.
During my MSc, my research explored why Black third-year nursing students were less likely to graduate with a first-class degree than their White counterparts, despite entering higher education with comparable qualifications.
I cited Professor Arday's work in my dissertation. I looked up to him.
His journey, his scholarship and what he represented within higher education mattered to me. He overcame significant barriers to become an accomplished academic, and seeing the intense public scrutiny surrounding him before his death has left me with a profound sense of sadness and anger.
As academics, our work should be scrutinised. We publish knowing that our ideas, methodology and conclusions can—and should—be challenged. Academic integrity matters.
But scrutiny and accountability must never become humiliation, harassment or bullying.8
As a Black academic who has personally experienced racism and victimisation within higher education, I know how exhausting it can be to feel that you must continually defend your competence, your credibility and your right to occupy the space you have worked so hard to earn.
There is something painfully familiar about having to prove your worth again and again.
Behind every publication, qualification and academic title is a human being. Someone who has worked, sacrificed, persevered and, very often, overcome battles that others know nothing about.
Words have consequences.
We can question someone's work without destroying their dignity.
We can demand academic standards without dehumanising the academic.
We can hold people accountable without forgetting their humanity.
Professor Arday's work contributed to my own academic thinking. For that, I will remember him.
Scrutiny is part of academia. Bullying should never be.
Rest in peace, Professor Jason Arday. 🕊️
Your scholarship mattered. Your journey mattered. And your contribution will not be forgotten.
