Jason Arday quit his role as a Cambridge professor last week amid a plagiarism row
The University of Cambridge has confirmed it will examine how an academic who stepped down during a plagiarism row was hired by its Faculty of Education and his teaching tenure, as the vice-chancellor labelled the case an “aberration”.
Professor Jason Arday, a professor of sociology of education who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, resigned last week after news coverage alleged he plagiarised his PhD thesis along with additional research.
An inquiry into his “academic qualifications and honorary appointments” was previously launched and will continue despite Professor Arday’s departure, with the institution confirming that findings will inform a review of recruitment processes for senior positions.
In a statement on Wednesday, vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said: “We will now investigate the circumstances around his appointment by the Faculty of Education back in 2022 and his time here in Cambridge since his appointment nearly four years ago.”
She added: “This particular case is an aberration and should not be used to cast aspersions on their work or the legitimacy of their roles at Cambridge.”
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Arday had cancelled a series of events promoting his forthcoming memoir after his resignation.
A bookshop event in Edinburgh and a conference speech featuring the former Cambridge University professor were called off “on the request of the speaker”.