Cambridge professor Jason Arday quits amid plagiarism allegations

The scholar announced his resignation amid a new investigation into his qualifications.Jason Arday has resigned from his post as professor of sociology at the Cambridge" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="2820" data-entity-type="organization">University of Cambridge, following the announcement of a new investigation into his academic qualifications and career.Arday, who became the youngest Black professor in Cambridge’s history when he was appointed in 2023, announced on Wednesday that he had stepped down “with immediate effect” from his post at the university and his fellowship at Jesus College.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Mexican influencer shot dead during TikTok livestreamlist 2 of 3FAA says Trump’s Marine One briefly flew too close to passenger jetlist 3 of 3Ex-Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib’s home petrol-bombed in Hasina falloutend of listArday, who has faced a growing series of questions over his academic writings and credentials, said in a statement posted on the Good Law Project website that the scrutiny had become unsustainable, describing months of “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary” that had taken a toll on him and his family.The announcement came hours after the university said it had received “new information” about Arday’s qualifications and honorary appointments and would launch a new investigation, which is separate from an existing academic misconduct review already under way.His decision to step down comes after a series of media reports alleging he plagiarised his PhD thesis and other research and statements.Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded the doctorate in 2015, investigated the plagiarism allegations but did not uphold them, attributing the issues instead to “honest and reasonable error”. Arday has consistently denied wrongdoing, pointing to that finding as vindication.Cambridge University had robustly defended Arday in June, claiming “a vile campaign to undermine his credibility” and insisting plagiarism claims regarding his “thesis and journal publications” had been investigated and dismissed by “the relevant institution” and journals.