The University of Cambridge has confirmed it will investigate how a professor who quit over a plagiarism row was appointed by the Faculty of Education and his time teaching at the institution, as the vice-chancellor labelled the case an “aberration”.
Jason Arday, a professor of sociology of education who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, resigned last week after news coverage alleged he plagiarised his PhD thesis, which he completed at Liverpool John Moores University, along with additional research.
An inquiry into his “academic qualifications and honorary appointments” was previously launched and will continue despite Professor Arday’s departure, with the institution confirming that findings will inform a review of recruitment processes for senior positions.
Addressing the situation in a statement, vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice said: “I fully understand the concerns being raised across the university and well beyond it regarding Jason Arday’s appointment and I share them.
“I know there is anger and anxiety around this damaging and difficult case.
“We will now investigate the circumstances around his appointment by the Faculty of Education back in 2022 and his time here in Cambridge since his appointment nearly four years ago.
“That investigation, as you say, should be thorough and transparent, and will be carried out independently by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge.”
She reaffirmed that the outcome will inform a review of recruitment processes for senior academic positions, while the institution’s research misconduct policy is also set to be reviewed.
She added: “In light of the focus on this troubling case and the widespread commentary around it, I want to be very clear that we do not need the outcomes of an investigation to clearly and loudly affirm that our staff of colour are highly valued, for their scholarship, their achievements and the contributions they make to the institution and the wider academic community.
“This particular case is an aberration and should not be used to cast aspersions on their work or the legitimacy of their roles at Cambridge.”
Professor Priyamvada Gopal, professor of postcolonial studies at Cambridge’s English faculty and one of the signatories advocating for an independent probe, told the Press Association last week that Prof Arday’s case had “acted as a gift to people and forces who have been targeting equality, diversity and inclusion in universities for a long time now”.
Media coverage has also questioned the validity of other statements Arday had made, such as claims he ran 600 miles in six days and raised £5.5 million for charity.
An investigation at Liverpool John Moores University cleared Prof Arday of wrongdoing.
Durham and Glasgow universities are investigating the circumstances around Prof Arday’s appointment to academic posts there and Cambridge’s Jesus College has accepted his resignation from his fellowship, according to Prof Prentice.
Prof Arday said in his open resignation letter that the “only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away”.
He said: “This decision should not be interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship or in the values that first brought me to Cambridge.
“Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me.
“It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.”
Over the weekend, he cancelled events promoting his forthcoming memoir.
Publishers Simon & Schuster said previously that the book, Great And Unfortunate Things, would be published in the UK on August 27.
