Jason Arday's memoir, 'Great and Unfortunate Things,' has been released in the United States, reportedly omitting any reference to the academic scandal and his subsequent resignation from the University of Cambridge. The book, published by Simon & Schuster, details Arday's rise to become Cambridge's youngest Black professor, overcoming personal challenges including a late diagnosis of autism and difficulties with literacy.
However, the memoir's U.S. release occurs in the wake of revelations that have significantly impacted Arday's academic career. The University of Cambridge had initiated an investigation into his academic qualifications and honorary appointments following reports from the Daily Mail that questioned the validity of academic posts he claimed to hold at various institutions. Arday has since resigned from his position at Cambridge.
The U.S. edition of 'Great and Unfortunate Things' reportedly still lists Arday as a current professor at Cambridge and the youngest Black academic to hold such a position, despite his resignation. The book does not include author or publisher notes addressing the recent controversies. The closest the memoir comes to acknowledging difficulties is in an epilogue where Arday writes about the costs associated with his Cambridge appointment, attributing opposition to racial animus rather than specific career controversies.
This section, present in earlier drafts, predates the most recent allegations. The book's initial sales in the U.S. were reportedly modest, with its Kindle ranking falling significantly.
Prior to the U.S. release, the publisher Simon & Schuster had reportedly revised claims about Arday's achievements. An earlier draft of the memoir, obtained by journalist Benjamin Ryan, showed that references to his alleged multi-million pound fundraising efforts had been removed during the editing process. Arday had previously stated his memoir would earn him £1.4 million. In response to mounting questions about his life story, Arday acknowledged inaccuracies, clarifying that he was part of a larger fundraising group for a £5.5 million charity effort rather than a sole fundraiser, and that his alleged 600-mile run in six days was completed over 12 days.
Further questions were raised when the Daily Mail reported Arday had once mentioned receiving an MBE in an interview, which he later requested be removed from the internet. No record of an MBE award for Arday in 2017 exists, nor has he addressed declining such an honor. Arday reportedly asked a podcast to delete an episode citing unspecified security concerns.
Critics have also accused Arday of plagiarizing significant portions of his PhD thesis from another student's research, to which he has admitted errors. Initially, the University of Cambridge suggested Arday was the target of a campaign to undermine him. However, after further questions arose regarding his claimed academic positions, the university announced an investigation into his qualifications and appointments, as well as the circumstances surrounding his own hiring and tenure. The findings are expected to inform a review of the process for appointing senior academic roles.
Several universities, including Ohio State University, the University of Glasgow, and Nelson Mandela University, have denied Arday held the visiting professorships listed on his profile at Jesus College, Cambridge. His profile also listed him as an honorary professor at Durham University, though he no longer holds any formal position there, contradicting his biography.
In his resignation statement, Arday maintained his innocence and condemned the intense public scrutiny. He had previously denied being a "liar and fantasist" when doubts about his personal achievements first emerged. The University of Cambridge stated it would investigate the circumstances of his appointment and tenure.