Jason Arday, who became the youngest Black professor in the University of Cambridge’s history, was found dead at a property in Battersea, south London, on Friday, just over a week after resigning his post amid allegations of plagiarism, the university said.
Arday, 41, was found unresponsive by emergency services. London’s Metropolitan Police said his death was being treated as “unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.”
Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said the university was “desperately saddened to hear this tragic news,” adding that its “heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.” UK Education Secretary Lucy Powell also offered condolences and urged the public to give the family privacy.
Arday resigned from his position as professor of sociology of education and fellow of Jesus College on Aug. 5, following a series of investigative articles examining his academic work and questions raised about his qualifications and background, including allegations that he had plagiarized parts of his doctoral thesis. The scrutiny intensified after Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge researcher who has been critical of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, publicly questioned his credentials last month.
In a statement, Arday’s family said he had been the target of a “campaign of harassment,” saying: “The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone. We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.”
Arday, who has spoken publicly about being autistic and not speaking until age 11, built a career studying race, inequality and education. He was appointed professor at the University of Glasgow in 2021 before moving to Cambridge in 2023, where his appointment drew widespread national attention.
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