Cambridge University’s chancellor Chris Smith has condemned what he described as a “racist feeding frenzy” surrounding plagiarism allegations against Jason Arday, the institution’s youngest-ever Black professor, who died last Friday at age 41. The sociology of education professor was found dead a week after resigning from his post on August 5, following accusations that he had plagiarized parts of his doctoral thesis and exaggerated personal achievements.
Speaking to the BBC, Smith said it was important for such claims to be “rigorously investigated” but added it was right to “refuse to join in a racist feeding frenzy over a particular academic,” without naming Arday directly. In a public resignation letter, Arday wrote that he had “reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.” The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Arday’s appointment in 2023 was historic, but his family has since denounced what they call “a campaign of sustained abuse” directed at him. Campaign group Stand Up To Racism held vigils in London’s Trafalgar Square and in Cambridge on Monday evening under the banner “Stand against racist witch hunts.” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, a Cambridge alumnus, described Arday’s death as “a tragedy on so many levels.”
An online fundraiser organized by racial equality campaigner Patrick Vernon had raised more than £163,000 ($218,000) for Arday’s family by Monday afternoon. Separately, a petition demanding a public inquiry into media coverage of the case gathered over 83,000 signatures, including those of MP Diane Abbott and Green Party leader Zack Polanski. Addressed to Burnham and Arts Minister Lisa Nandy, the petition — posted by the Good Law Project — alleges Arday’s death was “the direct, foreseeable and foreseen result of press harassment” and that “racism lay at the heart of this story.”
Downing Street declined to say whether an inquiry is planned. Opposition MP James Cleverly, whose mother was born in Sierra Leone, told the BBC that “quite possibly” some scrutiny of Arday was motivated by racism, though he added the situation “would never have come this far if people within the university establishment — not just Cambridge — had done the robust due diligence and checking that should happen with any senior academic appointment.”
Former students have launched a website, “Everything Good About Jason Arday,” to share memories and counter what they call a “single reductionist narrative.” Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice announced last week that the university will investigate the circumstances of Arday’s appointment and his time at Cambridge. The case has intensified debate over media accountability, institutional responsibility, and the treatment of Black academics in British higher education.
