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 a series of reports alleging he plagiarised his PhD thesis at Liverpool John Moores University.

Other claims of his 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.

"The case is being investigated by officers from the Met's Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner."

According to a University of Cambridge biography, Arday was diagnosed with a form of autism spectrum disorder which meant he was unable to speak until he was 11, or to read or write until he was 18.

He nonetheless went to college, trained as a teacher, and then launched his academic career, before securing his post with the Russell Group university.

Resigning his post, he wrote to his 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."

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

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