Prof William 'Lez' Henry was born in the London borough of Lewisham of Jamaican Parentage and is a Professor of Criminology and Sociology in the School of Human and Social Sciences, and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, at the University of West London. He is also the Course Leader for the MA: Global Black Studies, Decolonisation and Social Justice.

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Prof Lez is a writer, poet and community activist who is renown as a first-rate public speaker who has lectured nationally and internationally, featuring in numerous documentaries, current affairs television and radio programmes. He is also the British Reggae Dancehall Deejay Lezlee Lyrix.

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He lectures in the areas of criminology, sociology, anthropology, black history, race, education, ethnicity, youth crime and cultural studies and conducts MA and PhD supervision. He also delivers educational programmes for those who have turned their backs on formal education, which is what happened to him. He currently uses these experiences in his work with UWL’s Outreach Team where he delivers his ‘Goal Models: Pathway to Personal Success Programme’ to students from various local schools, as well as delivering various educational interventionist programmes, within  grass roots, community based settings. 

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He has written and published extensively on many of the concerns of the African Diaspora in the UK and on whiteness, youth violence and educational exclusion. He is highly experienced in the delivery of sessions and workshops on: ‘equity and diversity’, ‘conscious and unconscious bias’ and ‘structural and systemic racism’ within working and educational environments.

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Prof Lez is a keen martial artist who has practiced various styles and is a 3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor in Hung Kuen Five Animals, Shaolin Kung Fu and is a Shodan Black Belt in Kyokushinkai, Full Contact, Karate.