Sonia Jackson (academic)

Jackson first married in 1956 to Philip Abrams d.31 October 1981, Fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge, later Professor of Sociology, University of Durham; they divorced in 1970. In 1978 she married Brian Jackson, sociologist, author and social entrepreneur. He died suddenly in Huddersfield on 3 July 1983. In 1990, she married Derek Greenwood, Senior Lecturer in Physics, University of Bristol. d 15 November 2007. Jackson has two children from first marriage, two from her second, four stepchildren and 16 grandchildren.

Jackson was subsequently appointed Lecturer (later Senior Lecturer) at the University of Bristol (1976 – 1992), before becoming Professor of Applied Social Studies and Head of Social Policy at Swansea University (previously Swansea College, University of Wales) (1992 – 2001) and finally Professor of Social Care and Education at Institute of Education (now part of University College London) (2001) and Professor Emerita (2003).

Jackson is the elder daughter of Maurice Edelman and Matilda Edelman, née Yager. Jackson was evacuated to Buckinghamshire in 1940 and grew up in Chesham Bois. She was educated at Springfield Grange and Belle Vue Prep before attending Berkhamsted School for Girls (present day Berkhamsted School) as a day girl. Jackson went on to read history at Newnham College, Cambridge, graduating with 2.1 Hons in 1956, which she followed with a Postgraduate Certificate in Social Studies (with Distinction) at Somerville College, Oxford. She later took a second degree in Natural Sciences (Psychology) at the University of Cambridge and qualified as a social worker with a Diploma from the London School of Economics (CQSW).

Sonia Jackson, OBE (born 1934) is a British academic and Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Education, University College London. As of 2021, Jackson is semi-retired but still in active collaboration with colleagues at Thomas Coram Research Unit and internationally. Her main areas of research are: Education of children in care, foster care, social exclusion, Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), international comparisons of children's services.