Former University of Cambridge Professor Jason Arday has been found dead at his home in London, a week after resigning from the university amid allegations of plagiarism and questions over his academic qualifications.
The 41-year old Arday, was appointed Professor of Sociology of education at Cambridge in 2023, becoming the youngest Black professor at the institution.
The Metropolitan Police said officers responded to a report of a man found unresponsive at a property in London at about 3:12 p.m. on Friday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said Arday’s next of kin had been informed and were being supported by officers.
His death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious. Investigations are ongoing.
Cambridge Mourns Former Professor
Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, confirmed Arday’s death in a statement.
“We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” she said.
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Arday was widely known for his work on race, inequality and education. He had also spoken publicly about being diagnosed with autism as a child and said he did not speak until he was 11.
Resigned Amid Scrutiny
Arday resigned from Cambridge on August 5 following growing scrutiny over allegations concerning his academic work, qualifications and some of his public claims.
Questions about his credentials were raised publicly in July by Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge philosophy researcher.
The Times of London also reported on Arday’s 2015 PhD thesis, identifying passages that were described as identical or nearly identical to material from an earlier paper by another researcher.
British media reports also questioned Arday’s claims that he had raised £5.5 million for charity through endurance sporting activities, including running 30 marathons in 35 days and completing a 600-mile challenge in six days.
Cambridge initially defended Arday but later opened an investigation after receiving what it described as new information concerning his qualifications and honorary appointments.
In his resignation statement, Arday described his time at Cambridge as “the privilege of my life to teach my students.”
He also said the period since his appointment had been characterised by what he called an “unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack.”
His death comes as the university’s investigation into the allegations remains under scrutiny.
Source: NBS News
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.