Prior to successfully completing his PhD in 1991, titled: ‘The Communication Environment of the Gujarati Community in Leicester’, Jagdish worked as a practitioner of community education in the inner city of Leicester, including heading a centre. His work identified provision and also built bridges between minority communities and also included intergenerational work, empowering people and communities through civic engagement. He is passionate about working with people and communities on issues, particularly relating to social justice.
An experienced and qualified youth worker, he joined De Montfort’s Youth & Community Division in 2002, taking on the role of MA Programmes Leader for Youth Work / Health & Community Development. His main areas of teaching and research interests include youth work and community development, politics of education and social theory, anti-oppressive practice and issues around equality, diversity, social exclusion and disaffection.
Jagdish is also International Lead for the School of Applied Social Sciences, promoting the ‘internationalisation’ agenda of DMU.