The academic was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea on Friday
Suha Kidwai
Former University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has been found dead at a property in London, police have said.
The former professor, who resigned following a plagiarism row, was found dead at a property in Battersea on Friday afternoon.
The family of the former University of Cambridge professor said they are “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son”, adding “the campaign of misinformation was too much” for him
In a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK, Prof Arday’s family said: “Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for the more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.
“The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone.
“We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said officers were alerted on the death by the London Ambulance Service at 3.12pm on Friday.
A force spokesman 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. The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 3.06pm on Friday 14 August to reports of an incident on Daley Thompson Way, SW8.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic in a fast response car and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team.
“Sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Prof Arday, a professor of sociology of education who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, quit following a series of media reports alleging he plagiarised his PhD thesis – completed at Liverpool John Moores University – and other research.
Further questions were asked in the press about the truth of other claims he made, including saying he ran 600 miles in six days and that he had raised £5.5 million for charity.
An investigation at Liverpool John Moores University cleared Prof Arday of wrongdoing.
Durham and Glasgow universities are investigating the circumstances around Prof Arday’s appointment to academic posts there .
Prof Arday said in his open resignation letter that the “only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away”.
He said: “This decision should not be interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship or in the values that first brought me to Cambridge.
“Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me.
“It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.”
University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said she was “desperately saddened” by the death Prof Arday, adding: “Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Mr Arday’s death has prompted an outpouring of anger.
Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside Kim Johnson, said “serious questions need to be answered” over the “relentless media attacks Jason faced”, as she sent her condolences to his family.
