Dozens of academics at the University of Cambridge are demanding an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Professor Jason Arday, who resigned from his position as professor of sociology of education on Wednesday. Arday, 37, had become the university's youngest Black professor when appointed in 2023. The calls for an investigation come after allegations of plagiarism, misrepresentation of research, and fabrication of biographical details surfaced.
A joint letter circulating among Cambridge faculty seeks to move the investigation outside the university's direct control. Priyamvada Gopal, a professor of postcolonial studies at Cambridge, is among those organizing the letter, emphasizing the need for external involvement to scrutinize how an early-career academic was appointed to a senior professorial chair. Gopal stated that an independent investigation must examine what "both the faculty of education and university management may have got very badly wrong."
Academics involved in organizing the letter expressed concerns that the university might have prioritized a "media-friendly appointment" as a shortcut to fostering equality and inclusion. They also suggested that the university should be mindful of the consequences of placing young academics of color in highly visible roles before they are fully prepared to withstand scrutiny, potentially placing an undue burden of representation on them.
Arday's resignation followed media reports detailing accusations of plagiarism in his doctoral thesis and other research. Further questions were raised about claims he made regarding his athletic achievements and charitable fundraising amounts. The resignation letter, published on the Good Law Project's website, stated that stepping away was "the only way to bring this chapter to an end" and that the decision was not an admission of guilt or a loss of faith in scholarship, but rather a response to enduring an excessive amount of pressure.
His memoir, "Great And Unfortunate Things," is scheduled for publication soon. Reports also indicated a substantial advance offer from a publisher for the book. The University of Cambridge announced its internal investigation into Arday's "academic qualifications and honorary appointments" prior to his resignation. Jesus College has also initiated its own review process.
Amidst the controversy, the Metropolitan Police faced criticism for its handling of a harassment claim made against a journalist from Times Higher Education who had contacted Arday with questions. The police commissioner acknowledged that the force "dropped the ball" and that the report should have been screened out earlier. Some academics have voiced concerns that the incident has been "disastrous for Cambridge, and it is disastrous for higher education."