Cambridge issues statement saying it provided Jason Arday with support amid ‘media scrutiny’

TW: This article contains distressing content

The University of Cambridge has issued a statement saying it did provide support to Jason Arday, an academic who died after becoming involved in plagiarism allegations, “in the face of intense public and media ­scrutiny.”

Jason Arday, a 41-year-old professor of sociology of education who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, had faced multiple accusations and complaints regarding academic misconduct, specifically, plagiarism allegations.

The professor had denied any plagiarism, but “admitted errors in his work.” Arday also previously said the recent controversy about his work led to “an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack.”

After the university announced “a new investigation into his academic work,” Arday resigned from his teaching position at the University of Cambridge.

On Friday afternoon, emergency services found Arday “unresponsive” at his home in South London.

The Metropolitan Police said “his death is being treated as unexpected, but it is not believed to be suspicious.”

Speaking to The Times, a Cambridge spokesperson said the university provided Arday with “the provision of counselling, support and advice, and ­security measures, including the installation of panic alarms and the screening of racist emails and post. Our support continued in the face of intense public and media ­scrutiny and after his resignation.”

In a separate statement responding to Arday’s death, Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice addressed the Cambridge community on Saturday 15th August, saying: “My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Jason’s family and loved ones who, as they said last night, have lost a father, partner, brother, uncle and son. ”

via SWNS

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The statement continued: “My immediate thoughts are also with colleagues and students who worked with Jason in the Faculty of Education, and at Jesus College where he was a fellow. Today, we pause to remember him, and to mourn his loss, which will be felt across the collegiate University and beyond.”

The vice-chancellor asked students and colleagues to be “mindful of [their] own health and wellbeing”  and explained there is a “range of support available,” with staff and student resources being briefed to “mobilise their resources to those who may need them.”

Her statement concluded, saying: “I want to be clear: Supporting our community through this tragedy is the single most important priority for me and my leadership team right now.

“We will be reaching out to many of you directly, and we are committed to ensuring that no one feels they must face this alone.”

Students at the University of Cambridge have been directed to contact Student Support website for details on available help from their university or colleges, or fill out this form to request in-person or online support. Staff seeking support have been directed to Staff Counselling Centre.

Following Arday’s death, the academic’s family said they were “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.”

If you have been affected by the contents of this article, Cambridge and ARU students can call Cambridge Nightline on 01223 744444 between 7pm and 7am every day.

You can contact the Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123. Alternatively, you can contact Shout, a 24/7 text messaging service, by texting the word “Shout” to 85258.

Featured image via SWNS