Cambridge academics reject university’s attempt to end row over Jason Arday

The University of Cambridge has announced a review of its vetting and hiring procedures for senior academic staff in response to mounting criticism regarding the appointment of Jason Arday as a professor. Arday resigned his position earlier this week after facing significant skepticism about his personal and professional background.

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We strongly believe that a thorough and transparent investigation into the wider circumstances of this damaging episode is essential.

Arday had been appointed as Cambridge's youngest Black professor three and a half years prior, with his background highlighting educational disadvantage, including a delayed start in speech. However, his resignation followed mounting doubts about his claims, leading university and college leaders to hope the controversy would subside.

Despite the resignation, internal anger persists over the appointment process and concerns about the impact of toxic media commentary on the university's Black staff. Cambridge stated that Arday's resignation is effective immediately, but the university will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his appointment and tenure. The findings will inform a review of senior academic role appointments and the university's research misconduct policy.

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Jason Arday has resigned from his post at the university with immediate effect. Regardless of this, and for clarification, the university will continue to investigate the circumstances around Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure.

A group of Cambridge academics, however, has rejected the university's proposed response. In a letter to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deborah Prentice, they called for a "thorough and transparent investigation into the wider circumstances of this damaging episode." The academics highlighted the "toxic and frequently racist commentary" accompanying media coverage, warning it could hinder progress in addressing underrepresentation and deter future Black academics from applying to Cambridge.

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The findings will feed into a review of the process for the appointment of senior academic roles. In addition, and as previously stated, the university’s research policy committee will review the misconduct in research policy.

The signatories are urging the appointment of an independent body, composed of senior academics from both within and outside Cambridge, to address these issues. They seek a clear timeline for the investigation, a commitment to share findings publicly, and details on the university's handling of any academic misconduct allegations against Arday, including whether it attempted to prevent journalists from reporting on them. The university has denied supporting Arday's efforts to suppress critical reporting.

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These manifestly false claims have the potential to set back the modest progress Cambridge has made in addressing historical underrepresentation, and to deter any Black academic from applying for or accepting a position at the university in the future.