Youngest Black professor at Cambridge found dead after resigning amid plagiarism scandal

Jason Arday, a British sociologist who became Cambridge University's youngest Black professor in 2023 at age 37, has died. He was found unresponsive at a home in south London on Friday, days after resigning from his position amid a storm of plagiarism allegations and media scrutiny.

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The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone.

Arday's resignation followed weeks of intense pressure concerning accusations of plagiarism in his academic work and questions about his athletic and fundraising achievements. His death comes in the same week his highly anticipated memoir, "Great and Unfortunate Things," was released.

His family, in a statement released through his publisher, expressed shock and grief. They stated that "the campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone." The family asserted that Arday had been subjected to "a campaign of sustained abuse" for three years.

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At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead in Battersea, stating the death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious. Cambridge Vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice expressed deep sadness and noted the university's ongoing investigation into the circumstances of Arday's employment.

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Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

In his resignation statement, Arday had written that the "relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love." He denied plagiarism but admitted to some errors in his doctoral work. Supporters had called the allegations a "smear campaign" aimed at undermining Arday and other Black academics in influential positions.

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The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love.