The University of Cambridge has initiated an investigation into Professor Jason Arday, the youngest black professor in its history, following the receipt of "new information" regarding his academic qualifications and honorary appointments. The university's announcement on Wednesday evening marks a significant shift from its earlier stance, when it had defended Arday as "the victim of a vile campaign" amid allegations of plagiarism and embellishment.
Background and Initial Allegations
Arday, who rose to prominence with a compelling narrative of overcoming educational disadvantage, faced accusations of plagiarising parts of his PhD thesis and other academic research late last year. He has consistently denied these claims. An investigation by Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded his PhD in 2015, did not uphold the plagiarism charges but suggested they were likely due to "honest and reasonable error."
In a statement to the Guardian last week, Arday said: "There have been multiple thorough investigations across several institutions as a result of the allegations, and immense scrutiny, including with an academic misconduct panel who concluded that there was no plagiarism or academic misconduct."
However, the Guardian's own investigation uncovered discrepancies in Arday's public accounts, including claims of prodigious fundraising feats and an incident involving knife-wielding masked intruders. Arday also claimed to have run 600 miles in six days and completed 30 marathons in 35 days, as well as raising £5m for charity over several years. After facing questions, he revised some of these claims, stating he was part of a fundraising group that he cannot name for legal reasons.
University's Response and New Information
The university's statement on Wednesday read: "The University of Cambridge has begun an investigation following new information about Prof Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments. In order to ensure a fair process, we will not comment further until this has concluded."
It added: "Separately, there remains a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct, which are being handled in line with our misconduct in research policy. This is consistent with our previous statement on the matter. While we are fully aware of the public commentary and concerns around this matter, it remains vital that any process is thorough and adheres to both university policies and employment law. We also fully recognise that there is a person at the centre of this situation, and we continue to provide support to him."
A spokesperson for Jesus College, Cambridge, confirmed it was launching its own parallel process, stating: "Prof Arday’s college fellowship is linked to his university role and we will fully support the university. Prof Arday remains a fellow during this process. We recognise that this is a very difficult time for him and his family, and ask that they are treated with compassion and respect."
Discrepancies in Arday's Claims
The new investigations may have been triggered by Arday's claims of holding prestigious visiting fellowships and professorships at other universities. Published biographies dating back to 2018 stated he was a visiting fellow or visiting professor at Ohio State University in the US, but Ohio State has denied that Arday was ever employed in any role. Other biographies linked to Arday also claimed visiting professorships at Durham, Glasgow, Coventry, London Metropolitan, and Nelson Mandela University in South Africa.
Arday's appointment as professor of sociology at Cambridge at age 37 received widespread media attention due to his life story, which includes an autism diagnosis at age three, being unable to speak until age 11, and not reading or writing until age 18. Despite these challenges, he pursued higher education and quickly climbed the academic ladder. After receiving his PhD in 2015, he held posts at Leeds Beckett, Roehampton, Durham, and briefly Warwick, before becoming professor of sociology of education at Glasgow University in 2021. By early 2023, he had secured his professorship at Cambridge.
Ongoing Controversy and Upcoming Memoir
Arday also told the Guardian he had been the target of multiple threats after his Cambridge appointment, including a severed pig's head delivered to his parents' home, but subsequent investigations found no evidence to support this claim. The controversy comes as Simon & Schuster prepares to publish Arday's memoir, Great and Unfortunate Things, later this month.
The university's decision to investigate marks a departure from its initial defense of Arday, as leaders felt Cambridge's reputation was in danger amid mounting questions over his claims. The outcome of the investigation remains pending, and the university has declined to comment further to ensure a fair process.
