Former Cambridge professor Jason Arday found dead a week after resignation amid plagiarism allegations

London police responded to a report of an unresponsive man at a residence on Friday afternoon and pronounced him dead at the scene. The deceased was identified as Jason Arday, a 41-year-old former professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge. The Metropolitan Police said the death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious and is under investigation.

Arday, who became the youngest Black professor at Cambridge in 2023, had resigned on Aug. 5 after university officials opened an inquiry into alleged plagiarism in his academic work and questions about his qualifications. The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, expressed sympathy for his family and friends.

“We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” Prentice said.

Arday, who disclosed a childhood diagnosis of autism and a late onset of speech, had been the subject of media scrutiny over similarities between his 2015 Ph.D. thesis and earlier research, as well as claims about fundraising through athletic challenges. Cambridge professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the university’s Autism Research Centre, said Arday had told him he felt targeted by a “campaign against him” and that the intense public attention had taken a toll on his well-being.

In his resignation statement, Arday described his tenure as “the privilege of my life to teach my students” but said the sustained public criticism had become a personal burden. He added that he was stepping away for his own wellbeing and that of his family.

The university announced it will continue its investigation into Arday’s appointment and conduct an independent review of related processes. Arday’s memoir, released earlier this week, recounts his early life challenges and academic career.