Cambridge's youngest Black professor, Jason Arday, found dead amid plagiarism allegations

He was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea, south London, by emergency services. Metropolitan Police officers, called to the scene by the London Ambulance Service, stated that his death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious. Professor Arday had recently resigned as a Cambridge professor of sociology of education following allegations of plagiarism and questions regarding some of his achievements.

His family issued a statement expressing their shock and attributing his death to a "campaign of misinformation," describing him as a gentle man. Cambridge University vice-chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, expressed the university community's sadness. Professor Arday had denied all plagiarism allegations, acknowledging errors in his work, and stated that the controversy led to "unrelenting public scrutiny and personal attack."

He was appointed Professor of Sociology of Education in March 2023, becoming the sixth Black professor and the youngest Black professor ever appointed by the university.