Cambridge professor Jason Arday resigns amid plagiarism allegations

Professor Jason Arday has resigned from his teaching post at the University of Cambridge after the university announced a new investigation into his academic work.

Cambridge said on Wednesday that it had received “new information” about Arday’s academic work and alleged honorary appointments, while also revealing that there are “a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct”.

Arday resigned later that evening, saying he had reached “the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure” and that his resignation was not “an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me”.

Jason Arday has faced plagiarism allegations multiple times

Jason Arday has faced plagiarism allegations multiple times throughout his career. The most recent claim came from Nathan Cofnas, an academic sacked by Cambridge after his blogpost about Black academics.

The plagiarism allegation was passed on to Liverpool John Moores University, where Jason completed his PhD. John Moores reported that its investigation did not uphold the plagiarism charges. It commented that it was probably caused by “honest and reasonable error”.

Jason told the Times in an interview on Saturday that he was accountable for those mistakes, but that “what I am not is a liar”.

He added: “There has been, since I arrived at Cambridge, a very well orchestrated and co-ordinated campaign to unseat me from my position.”

Suggesting that this was “racially motivated”, Jason added that he had become a “lightning rod” for criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy.

He said that some errors in his early academic work were due to his autism, explaining that he relied on mimicry to make sense of information, and argued that similar scrutiny would uncover comparable errors in the work of other academics: “We’re talking about academia here. I didn’t murder somebody. I think the cruelty that I’ve experienced and the positioning of me as this kind of liar and fantasist is totally unacceptable,” he told the newspaper.

University of Cambridge issues statement

However, on Wednesday evening, Cambridge revealed that they were beginning another investigation into Jason’s work. This was sparked by Cambridge receiving “new information” about his academic work and alleged honorary appointments.

They also commented: “Separately, there remains a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct”. Cambridge reported that these academic misconduct complaints “are being handled in line with our misconduct in research policy.”

Cambridge concluded their statement by writing: “We also fully recognise that there is a person at the centre of this situation, and we continue to provide support to him.”

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Jason Arday’s resignation letter

Before this investigation could begin, Jason released a statement of resignation on Wednesday night. He called his appointment at Cambridge “the greatest professional privilege of my life”, and commented that he had not lost faith “in scholarship or the values that first brought me to Cambridge”.

Jason also made it clear that his resignation was not “an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me”. It was instead, “the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.”

In his resignation statement, Jason also thanked his students, adding they give him “enormous hope for the future”, and the colleagues who supported him “when it mattered most”.

Jason promised: “I will return stronger, wiser and with the same determination that has always defined my journey. There is still so much work to do, and I look forward to doing it alongside so many of you in the years ahead.”

Jason has been the centre of controversy numerous times across his academic career. He has faced allegations of lying about visiting fellowships, marathon successes, charity fundraisings, and physical racist attacks.

In response to the allegations, Jason told the Guardian that the £5 million was raised with the help of others over a 20-year period, but said he could not name them because he had signed non-disclosure agreements.

Regarding a 600-mile challenge, Jason told the newspaper that it was completed over 12 days to allow for rest days due to the “cumulative wear and tear of training” from previous challenges.

He also told the Times that he stood by his other running records.

Amidst these allegations, Jason reflected: “I can’t make people believe me. Nobody lives their life having a receipt for every single thing they say or they’ve done.”

He concluded his statement by asking his readers for “understanding, for compassion, and for the space to begin again.”

Featured image via Canva and University of Cambridge

Jason Arday was contacted for comment.