Cambridge Professor Who Resigned Amid Plagiarism Claims Found Dead

Jason Arday, the sociologist who made history as Cambridge University's youngest Black professor, has died at the age of 41. British media reported that he was found unresponsive at a residence in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene but did not name him, in line with standard policy. A police statement described the death as "unexpected" but added that it is "not believed to be suspicious."

Arday resigned from his position as professor of sociology of education last week. In his resignation statement, he said that "the relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love."

The controversy began in July when a newspaper analysis of his 2015 doctoral thesis highlighted passages that were allegedly "identical or near-identical" to an earlier paper by another researcher. Further media reports questioned his claims of raising £5.5 million for charity through feats such as running 30 marathons in 35 days.

Arday's supporters, including more than two dozen academics and politicians, described the allegations as a "smear campaign" aimed at undermining Black professionals in positions of influence.

His appointment at Cambridge in 2023 was celebrated as a milestone. Arday had spoken openly about overcoming dyslexia, developmental delays, and autism, which he said left him non-verbal until age 11 and illiterate until his late teens.

Cambridge initially defended Arday, noting that Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded his doctorate, had investigated the plagiarism claims. However, the university later opened its own inquiry after receiving "new information about Professor Arday's qualifications and honorary appointments."