Who was Jason Arday? Ex-Cambridge professor under fire for plagiarism allegations found dead at 41; all about his latest book, dyslexia battle and cause of death

Jason Arday, a British sociologist and former University of Cambridge professor who was at the center of a plagiarism scandal, has died at age 41. He resigned last week as Cambridge’s professor of sociology of education after weeks of public allegations of plagiarism and intense media scrutiny. Arday denied the claims.

Arday, who became Cambridge’s youngest Black professor in 2023 at the age of 37, came under intense media pressure over allegations of plagiarism in his academic work, as well as questions surrounding claims about his athletic and fundraising accomplishments.

According to multiple news outlets, Arday was found “unresponsive” inside a home in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon. He was found unresponsive by the ambulance service at the property. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The official cause of death was not revealed at the time of filing of this report.


News of his death comes the same week as the release of his memoir, “Great and Unfortunate Things,” a highly anticipated work that Simon & Schuster had decided to release despite the doubts about his credibility. In a statement issued through his publisher, Arday's family said that they were “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle, and son,” as reported by news agency AP.

“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 said, as quoted by AP. His family further stated that for three years Arday was “subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse ... by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.”

The Metropolitan Police said only that a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead in Battersea, without naming the man, in accordance with its policy. “At this time his death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious," the police statement said, as quoted by AP.

Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice reacts to Arday’s death

Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice, who earlier announced that the university will investigate the circumstances around Arday's employment, said she was “desperately saddened” by the news.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time," she said. In resigning as professor of sociology of education, Arday wrote in a statement that "the relentless accusations, speculation, and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love.”

He said his stepping down should not “be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me.” He has denied plagiarism but admitted to some mistakes when working on his doctorate.

Supporters, including more than two dozen academics and politicians, had described the plagiarism allegations as a “smear campaign” designed to undermine Arday and other Black people who hold “positions of influence.”

Arday overcame dyslexia

Born in 1985 to Ghanaian immigrant parents in South London, Arday’s biography states that he was diagnosed with autism at age 3. According to PEOPLE, he remained nonverbal until he was nearly 12 and did not learn to read or write until his late teens. He was also diagnosed with conditions including deafness, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.

Arday’s appointment at Cambridge highlighted his personal story of overcoming dyslexia, developmental delays, and autism, which he said left him nonverbal until the age of 11 and illiterate until his late teens.

Cambridge has opened investigation into plagiarism accusations

In a statement earlier this month, Arday announced that he was leaving his position at the university and its constituent Jesus College effective immediately. His decision came after the University of Cambridge announced an investigation “following new information about Professor Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments.”

In his memoir, Arday wrote of himself as being born to achieve and born to struggle. He recalled a family “legend” stating that the 1980s hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was playing a family “legend” that the 1980s hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was on the radio at the time of his birth. He described how a midwife noted his long fingers and told his mother that it was a sign he was meant for greatness. In his early 20s, he recalled, he was on a relief mission in Brazil when an aid worker placed a hand on his arm and also predicted an extraordinary life.

“But I also believe you're destined for very sad and difficult things as well,” she warned him. Questions about Arday's qualifications were raised publicly last month by Nathan Cofnas, a one-time Cambridge philosophy researcher who left the university after his critique of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs sparked widespread protests.