Professor Jason Arday, who earned his PhD at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), died on August 14 aged 41. The vice-chancellor of LJMU, Professor Mark Power, said Arday had "endured three weeks of relentless scrutiny" before his death.
Arday, a former University of Cambridge professor, was found dead at an address in Battersea, London on Friday August 14. He had recently resigned from his position amid allegations of plagiarism, though an investigation by LJMU cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Vice-chancellor's statement
In a statement, Professor Power said: "As vice-chancellor I never thought I’d have to address a situation as desperately sad as the events surrounding the death of Professor Jason Arday.
"Jason had endured three weeks of relentless scrutiny, and the tragedy of his death will be felt across the whole of our LJMU community.
"Jason was a member of staff at LJMU, he completed his PhD with us and as we stated throughout the constant level of public attention surrounding him, his PhD still stands.
"Many have been deeply affected by the news of his death.
"At LJMU we hold firm to a set of values and beliefs that are shared within our approach to everything we do. We’re committed to fairness, and above all else respect for others. We’re proud of our inclusive community, and the accomplishments of all our staff and students through their hard work and merit alone.
"Our thoughts are now with Jason’s family and friends, and the colleagues and students who will feel his loss so deeply."
Career and allegations
Arday, 41, became the youngest black professor at Cambridge University when he was appointed in 2023. He had previously worked as a Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Glasgow.
Allegations of plagiarism in his PhD thesis arose in 2025, when an LJMU misconduct panel ruled any similarities between his work and others' were "well within the accepted range of compliance with the academic standards of the time". The allegations were publicised in July this year by Ghent University researcher Nathan Cofnas, a self-described "race realist" who was sacked from his role at Cambridge in 2024.
Union leader's response
Commenting on Arday's death, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "A month ago, I was asked by someone I know and trust to sign the Good Law Project statement in solidarity with Jason Arday.
"I didn't know a great deal about Jason, but what I could see was that, like many prominent black people in public life, the press coverage surrounding him was vile and disproportionate. So I signed without hesitation.
"Sadly that was only the beginning. What followed was a public and brutal takedown that unleashed a tirade of racism by the worst elements of the British media and the right wing commentariat.
"I was repeatedly approached by the press, with every new 'revelation', asking whether I still supported Jason. My view has always been the same: regardless of the comments being made, Jason deserved due process and fairness.
"I learned of his death through the press too, who was soon quick to approach me to see if I'd be available to go on their show. I think the least the press can do now is leave Jason and his family alone and allow them to grieve the loss of a loved one.
"I don't believe this was ever simply about 'professional conduct' or 'plagiarism'. There is a profound difference between scrutiny and a sustained public campaign that turns an individual into a symbol of everything the right believes is wrong with DEI.
"The effect has been chilling. It tells black people and others from underrepresented backgrounds that entering prominent public positions will make you a target. A target not only for criticism of your work, but for a much broader political and cultural backlash.
"And we should be honest about what that does. It doesn't just destroy the reputation of one individual. It sends a message to everyone watching: know your place, don't step too far forward and don't expect the same margin for error afforded to others.
"Jason deserved better than that. He deserved better than what he was subjected to. His family deserve privacy and compassion now."
