Former Cambridge professor Jason Arday found dead after plagiarism scandal

Jason Arday (1985-2026). Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire/dpa

afp/taz — The British star professor Jason Arday, who resigned a week ago amid a plagiarism scandal, has died. The 41-year-old academic from the elite University of Cambridge was found unresponsive at an address in South London and declared dead by emergency services, multiple media outlets reported on Friday evening. The university later confirmed his death. Arday's family has raised serious allegations.

According to police statements, officers were alerted by emergency services after a man was found unresponsive in a building in the Battersea district. "Unfortunately, the 41-year-old man was declared dead at the scene." The death was classified as unexpected, and no suspicious circumstances are assumed. Although London police did not name the individual, media reports confirmed the deceased was Arday.

Arday's family confirmed the death overnight, speaking of bullying and harassment in light of the allegations against the academic. "The disinformation campaign was simply too much for Jason," a statement published through his publisher Simon & Schuster read. "He was a gentle person who always wanted to see the good in everyone." The family expressed being "deeply shocked by the loss of this wonderful father, partner, brother, uncle, and son."

The Vice-Chancellor of the elite university, Deborah Prentice, said she was "deeply saddened by this tragic news." A brief statement continued: "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Jason Arday during this incredibly difficult time."

Academic Complained of 'Racially Motivated Campaign'

Arday was celebrated in 2023 as the youngest Black professor at Cambridge, then aged 37. Last week, he resigned with immediate effect from both his position as Professor of Sociology of Education at the university and as a Fellow of Jesus College, after the university announced an investigation into mounting plagiarism allegations regarding his dissertation.

In a letter published online, Arday emphasized that his decision should not be "misunderstood as agreement with the portrayals surrounding me."

The Times had previously published several investigative articles about the sociology professor's work and private life. In an interview with the newspaper, Arday admitted "mistakes" in his scholarly work but stated he was being unjustly "portrayed as a liar, fantasist, and scientific fraudster." He also spoke of a "racially motivated campaign" to "remove" him from his position.

The University of Cambridge has announced investigations into possible irregularities in Arday's appointment as well as the overall professor hiring process.

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