Academic’s family says they are in shock after his unexpected death
Jason Arday, the former University of Cambridge professor who recently became the focus of a plagiarism controversy, has been found dead in Battersea, south London.
Emergency services were called to an address on Friday afternoon, where a man was found unresponsive.
The Metropolitan Police said the death was unexpected and was not believed to be suspicious.
Family pays tribute
Arday’s family said they were devastated by the loss of the 41-year-old academic, describing him as an amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.
In a statement, the family said they believed the intense public controversy surrounding him had taken a heavy toll.
Resigned from Cambridge
Arday resigned from his position as professor of sociology of education at Cambridge last week following allegations of plagiarism and questions about aspects of his academic achievements.
He denied plagiarism but acknowledged errors in some of his earlier work.
Before his resignation, Arday said the controversy had subjected him to an “unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack”.
He said the personal cost of the situation had become too great.
Investigation into academic work
The controversy began after another academic raised allegations of plagiarism involving Arday’s work.
Cambridge had previously said claims concerning his doctoral thesis and some journal publications had been investigated.
Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday his PhD in 2015, concluded that he had not plagiarised work.
Cambridge had also announced an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
Prominent academic career
Arday became Cambridge’s youngest Black professor at the age of 37 in 2023, an appointment that was widely described as significant for representation in British academia.
Only a small proportion of professors at UK universities are Black.
Before entering academia, Arday worked as a physical education teacher. He later earned his doctorate and held academic positions at Durham University and the University of Glasgow.
Both universities have responded with tributes following news of his death, with Durham describing him as a kind and warm person who supported opportunities for PhD students.
Tributes from colleagues
Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said the university was deeply saddened by Arday’s death and offered condolences to his family and friends.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell also expressed shock and urged people to remember the human impact of public controversies.
Arday’s friend and academic Professor Kehinde Andrews described him as deeply affected by the events surrounding his resignation.
Memoir release
Arday was also due to promote his memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, which tells the story of his life and academic journey.
The book was released in the United States earlier this week and is scheduled for UK publication later this month.
His death has prompted renewed discussion about academic accountability, media scrutiny and the duty of care owed to people facing intense public criticism.
