Jason Arday, the Cambridge University professor accused of plagiarism, is found dead

By SAM GREENHILL, THE CHIEF REPORTER and REBECCA CAMBER, CRIME AND SECURITY EDITOR and ELEANOR HARDING Published: 20:30, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 20:53, 14 August 2026 The high-flying academic at the centre of a Cambridge University plagiarism row has been found dead. Professor Jason Arday was found unresponsive at a London address shortly after 3pm on Friday. It comes after a tumultuous few weeks in which fellow dons had questioned if the 41-year-old academic’s work was original. It had also prompted an examination of his previous academic posts. As questions mounted from academics, journalists and broadcasters, Arday resigned his prestigious role. He had been Cambridge University’s youngest ever black professor, having been appointed a professor of sociology of education in March 2023. But after a succession of questions about his past achievements, he quit on August 5. Cambridge University announced it had ‘begun an investigation following new information about Mr Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments’. Jesus College, where he was a fellow, also launched an investigation. Professor Jason Arday, 41, was found dead in London. Police said a 41-year-old had been found and that 'his death is being treated as unexpected, but not believed to be suspicious' The high-flying academic father-of-two was 'unresponsive' at a London address  When Arday resigned from his professorship and his fellowship, he said that this should not be ‘mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me’. He cited the ‘personal cost’ of the furore which he said had been ‘too great’. He also cancelled a series of events to promote his new memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, which was released in the US this week. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 3.12pm on Friday, August 14, following a report that a man had been found unresponsive inside a property. ‘Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. ‘At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.’ The statement added: ‘The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner.’ Prof Arday, a married father-of-two, seemingly had the world at his feet in 2023 when he was appointed Cambridge University’s youngest ever black professor, with the appointment celebrated by the world’s media in which he was the subject of glowing profiles. His rise was meteoric, given the childhood he has described. Diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay, Prof Arday said he could not speak until he was 11 and could not read or write until he was 18. In recent weeks, doubts were cast on his claims but the then-professor denied the accusations against him and disputed claims made about his past. Many of the claims were connected to Arday’s work for good causes during which said he had raised £5million for charity through long distance running, including running 30 marathons in 35 days. When he quit, Prof Arday said it was ‘with profound sadness’. He said his appointment had been ‘without question, the greatest professional privilege of my life’, adding: ‘To become the youngest Black professor in the University’s history was something I could scarcely have imagined as a child growing up with a diagnosis of autism, unable to speak until I was 11 years old.’ After days of questions from all quarters, he said: ‘There comes a point when the personal cost becomes too great. I have a family. I want to be present for them. I want to reclaim some peace, some privacy and some semblance of an ordinary life. I no longer wish to feel as though I am living under a constant spotlight, where every aspect of my life is subject to public examination and judgment. ‘For my own wellbeing, for my family, and for those who have stood by me throughout this difficult period, I have concluded that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away.’ Prof Arday 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.’ Amid the mounting questions over the truth, Cambridge University announced an inquiry. This week the university’s vice-chancellor said she understood the concerns raised by the appointment and shared them too. In a letter to staff, Prof Deborah Prentice acknowledged the ‘anger and anxiety around this damaging and difficult case’. The university head also announced Cambridge’s investigation would be independent and carried out by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge and will begin ‘as soon as possible’. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.