The family of Jason Arday have paid tribute to the former University of Cambridge professor after he was found dead at a London property on Friday. In a statement issued by his publisher, Simon & Schuster UK, they said they were "in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son." They said Arday was "subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years" since he became the institution's youngest black professor in 2023. They added that he was a "gentle man who always wanted to see the best in everyone."
Death and Response
Emergency services were called to an address in Battersea just after 3pm on Friday following reports of a man found unresponsive inside a property. The Metropolitan Police said a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. The police said his death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Cambridge University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said they were left "desperately saddened" by Arday's death. Education Secretary Lucy Powell offered her "heartfelt" condolences, saying she was "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear of his death.
Background and Investigations
Arday had resigned from Cambridge following a plagiarism row. He faced allegations that he plagiarised his PhD thesis, completed at Liverpool John Moores University, and other research. An investigation at Liverpool John Moores University cleared him of wrongdoing.
Last week, Cambridge University confirmed it would continue its investigation into the circumstances around his "appointment and tenure," with findings feeding into a review of the process for appointing senior roles. Arday resigned just hours after that announcement, citing the "unrelenting level of public scrutiny," saying the "only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away."
Further Claims and Statements
Questions had also been raised about other claims he made, including running 600 miles in six days, raising £5.5 million for charity, and appearing in the TV series Seven Up, which broadcast two decades before he was born. Last week, he admitted mistakes but denied the claims, telling The Times: "I am accountable for the mistakes I've made. I hold myself accountable, and other people should hold me accountable. I think the cruelty that I've experienced and the positioning of me as this kind of liar and fantasist is totally unacceptable."
Durham and Glasgow universities also began investigations into the circumstances around his appointment to academic posts there. In an update on Wednesday, Prentice said the investigation into Arday's employment will be carried out "independently by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge." She added that the case is an "aberration" and should not be used to cast aspersions on the work of staff of colour. Professor Priyamvada Gopal, who called for an independent inquiry, said the case had "acted as a gift to people and forces who have been targeting equality, diversity and inclusion in universities for a long time now."
