Professor Jason Arday, who made history in 2023 as Cambridge's youngest Black professor, has resigned after the university launched an inquiry into allegations of plagiarism and questions about his academic background.
He stepped down on Wednesday after Cambridge confirmed it had opened an investigation into his 'academic qualifications and honorary appointments'. The probe follows reports alleging parts of his PhD thesis and other work were plagiarised, along with questions about claims he ran 600 miles in six days and raised £5.5 million for charity.
Professor's statement
In a letter to colleagues published by the Good Law Project, Prof Arday said the intense public scrutiny had become overwhelming. 'While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement,' he wrote. 'The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love.'
Explaining his decision, he added: 'The only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away. This decision should not be interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship or in the values that first brought me to Cambridge. Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me. It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.'
University response
Cambridge said it launched the investigation after receiving 'new information' relating to Prof Arday. The university also said separate complaints concerning alleged academic misconduct were being handled under its research misconduct procedures. A statement said: 'Separately, there remains a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct, which are being handled in line with our misconduct in research policy.'
Jesus College, where Prof Arday was a fellow, said it had also begun its own investigation process.
Support and upcoming memoir
An open letter organised by the Good Law Project supporting Prof Arday has been signed by nearly 16,000 people, including MPs, Lords, academics, and Green Party leader Zack Polanski. His memoir, 'Great And Unfortunate Things', is due to be published later this month. In promotional material, he described being diagnosed with autism as a toddler, learning to speak at 11, and read and write at 18 before earning a PhD.
