Jason Arday, former Cambridge university professor, found dead after resigning following plagiarism row

A former University of Cambridge professor who resigned following accusations of plagiarism has been found dead.

Jason Arday was found "unresponsive" at an address in Battersea in London on Friday afternoon.

The 41-year-old, who became Cambridge's youngest black professor in 2023, resigned as a professor of sociology of education last week.

It followed reports alleging he plagiarised his PhD thesis while at Liverpool John Moores University.

Other claims also came under scrutiny, including that he ran 600 miles in six days and raised millions for charity.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "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."

According to a Cambridge biography, Arday was diagnosed with a form of autism spectrum disorder that meant he couldn't speak until 11 or read and write until he was 18.

But some people who said they attended school with him also questioned those claims, telling media he was often quiet but not mute.

Mr Arday went to college, trained as a teacher and started an academic career that culminated in the Cambridge job three years ago.

Resigning last week, he wrote to colleagues: "While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement.

"The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love."

He said his resignation shouldn't "be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me".

His memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, is due to be published on 27 August - though the publisher has faced calls to postpone its release.

The Daily Telegraph, which first published the plagiarism claims, reported that Mr Arday's thesis contains "more than 100 passages that are identical or nearly identical to a 2009 PhD thesis" by a Brunel University student - although it says he credited her 17 times.

The University of Cambridge initially said he was the target of a smear campaign but this week succumbed to pressure for an independent investigation into his appointment.

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