Arif Ahmed

Arif Mohuiddin Ahmed (born 18 March 1974) is a British philosopher and academic. He currently serves as the Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the Office for Students, a position he assumed in June 2023. Prior to this, Ahmed was a philosopher at the University of Cambridge. He was born in Taunton, Somerset, England, and received his education at local schools before studying mathematics at St Anne's College, Oxford. He later pursued a Master's degree in philosophy at the University of Sussex and a PhD in philosophy at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Ahmed held various academic positions at Cambridge, including as a fellow at Girton College and Gonville and Caius College, and was promoted to Reader in Philosophy and then Professor of Philosophy. His research interests lie in decision theory and the philosophy of religion, approaching these from an atheist and libertarian perspective. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to education. He also served as a commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Board before his appointment to the Office for Students.