Professor Jason Arday Resigns Amid Cambridge University Investigation

Professor Arday announced his immediate resignation from his position as Professor of Sociology at the University of Cambridge and Jesus College. He stated, "It is with profound sadness that I write to resign, with immediate effect, from my position at the University of Cambridge and Jesus College."

He described his appointment as "without question, the greatest professional privilege of my life." However, Professor Arday concluded, "For my own wellbeing, for my family, and for those who have stood by me throughout this difficult period, I have concluded that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away."

The University of Cambridge confirmed it launched an investigation into Professor Arday's academic qualifications and honorary appointments, following new information. Jesus College also launches its own parallel process.

The University of Cambridge stated, "The University of Cambridge has begun an investigation following new information about Professor Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments. In order to ensure a fair process, we will not comment further until this has concluded."

A Jesus College spokesperson confirmed, "Professor Arday remains a fellow during this process. We recognise that this is a very difficult time for him and his family, and ask that they are treated with compassion and respect."

Meanwhile, The Guardian published an investigation uncovering discrepancies in Professor Arday’s public accounts. These involved prodigious fundraising feats.

Allegations of plagiarism of his PhD thesis and other research have been made against Professor Arday. Critics claim Professor Arday copied significant chunks of his PhD thesis from earlier research published by another student.

Academics claim Professor Arday copied sections of his PhD thesis from a student's paper published six years earlier. Professor Arday also falsely claimed authorship of the book 'Being Young, Black and Male: Challenging the Dominant Discourse'.

The book proposal for 'Being Young, Black and Male: Challenging the Dominant Discourse' was accepted by Palgrave Macmillan. However, the book was never published.

An investigation by Liverpool John Moores University did not uphold plagiarism charges against Professor Arday. It suggested "honest and reasonable error."

Professor Arday acknowledged his mistakes, stating, "I am accountable for the mistakes I’ve made. I hold myself accountable and other people should hold me accountable."

He also asserted, "We’re talking about academia here. I didn’t murder somebody. I think the cruelty that I’ve experienced, and the positioning of me as this kind of liar and fantasist, is totally unacceptable."

Professor Arday's legal representatives, Carter-Ruck, claim the investigation into his credentials may be racially motivated. The reporting had allegedly affected Professor Arday's "mental health."

The University of Cambridge confirmed ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct are being handled in line with their policy. "Separately, there remains a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct, which are being handled in line with our misconduct in research policy. This is consistent with our previous statement on the matter."

The University of Cambridge also stated, "While we are fully aware of the public commentary and concerns around this matter, it remains vital that any process is thorough and adheres to both university policies and employment law."

Separately, the Metropolitan Police closed a harassment case against Jack Grove in February. Professor Arday claimed he had been targeted by knife-wielding masked intruders.

Sarah Waite, a special adviser to Education Secretary Lucy Powell, appointed Professor Arday as a patron of her charity, Get Further, last year. Professor Arday stood as a Labour Party candidate in Croydon in 2018.