Jason Arday, ex-Cambridge professor at centre of plagiarism row, found dead

Jason Arday, a former University of Cambridge professor, was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon. Arday resigned from his position last week following allegations of plagiarism and questions about certain achievements. He denied these claims. His family expressed shock at losing "this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son."

Police treated his death as unexpected and not suspicious. The University of Cambridge's vice-chancellor, Prof Deborah Prentice, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, along with Education Secretary Lucy Powell, who urged people to remember the real people behind the situation. Arday, 41, had denied plagiarism but admitted to errors in his work, attributing them to his autism.

The controversy erupted after another academic accused him of plagiarism. Arday was Cambridge's youngest ever black professor when appointed in 2023, a moment hailed as progressive. However, the personal cost of the scrutiny became too great for him, leading to his resignation due to relentless accusations and public commentary.

The University of Cambridge is conducting an independent investigation into his appointment, and Glasgow University is also reviewing his previous academic work.