The University of Cambridge will carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jason Arday’s appointment and his time at the university, its vice-chancellor has confirmed.
The investigation will be carried out by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge and will begin “as soon as possible”.
Arday resigned as a Cambridge professor of sociology of education last week amid allegations of plagiarism and questions about some of his achievements.
The 41-year-old – who became Cambridge’s youngest ever black professor in 2023 – denies any plagiarism and said the recent furore had led to “an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack”.
In a letter to university staff, Prof Deborah Prentice said she knows there is “anger and anxiety around this damaging and difficult case” and she shares concerns raised by those in Cambridge and beyond.
The letter continued: “Our staff of colour are highly valued, for their scholarship, their achievements, and the contributions they make to the institution and the wider academic community.”
Prentice said the case “should not be used to cast aspersions on their work or the legitimacy of their roles at Cambridge”.
The findings of the investigation, previously announced on Friday, will inform a review into the process for the appointment of senior academic roles, the university has said.
Cambridge had previously said allegations of plagiarism regarding Arday’s thesis and some journal publications had been investigated by Liverpool John Moores University (LMJU) and the journals in question.
LJMU – which awarded his PhD in 2015 – had investigated the allegations that were made last year, and found he did not commit plagiarism.
The Times reported Arday defended himself by arguing that he had not received adequate supervision during his PhD given his autism and “learning disabilities”.
The University of Cambridge said it had advised people to contact the relevant institution or passed on complaints.
But after Cambridge announced its own investigation, some academics pushed for the inquiry to be independent, questioning whether the university could adequately investigate its own processes.
It is not yet clear how the independent investigation will work, who will lead it or what its remit will be.
Arday worked as a PE teacher before earning his doctorate at LMJU and going on to become an associate professor at Durham University and professor of sociology of education at the University of Glasgow.
Glasgow has also announced a review into Arday’s previous academic post.
When he resigned from his post, Arday said he was not a “liar” and that his resignation “should not be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me.”
