Jason Arday: Glasgow University 'deeply shocked' by death of former colleague

Prof Arday was employed at the university in 2022 and 2023 before heading to Cambridge University, from where he resigned last week after facing a furore over plagiarism claims and intense scrutiny over his credentials and achievements.

The academic was found dead at an address in south London on Friday, with his death described as unexpected but not believed to be suspicious.

A Glasgow University spokesman said today (Saturday):  “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of our former colleague Professor Jason Arday. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his friends and family at this desperately sad time.”  

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Prof Arday tendered his resignation from Cambridge last Wednesday after an investigation was launched into his academic qualifications and honorary appointments, with Glasgow launching its own review into his appointment two days later “to learn lessons” as questions over his past achievements flared.

Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, a University of Cambridge professor and director of the Autism Research Centre, spoke to his friend on Friday morning.

Sir Simon said: “He was being subjected to relentless scrutiny, including ridicule, discrediting absolutely every detail of his life, and he wasn’t coping with the loss of his career, the loss of his reputation, and he felt he couldn’t go on.

“He used those words in voice notes,” he added.

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Sir Simon said the academic was a “kind and gentle” man who had been “bombarded by every media outlet” and used as a “lightning rod” to examine diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Prof Arday, a professor of sociology of education who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, quit following a series of media reports alleging he plagiarised his PhD thesis – completed at Liverpool John Moores University – and other research. The Liverpool university stood by the quality of the research and Prof Arday suggested any mistakes in attribution were due to his autism.

As his profile soared following his Cambridge appointment, Prof Arday also became known for the life story he told and his rise from a child who did not speak until he was 11 or learn to read and write until 18.

But as scrutiny deepened, questions continued in the press about the truth of other claims he made, including that he ran 600 miles in six days and raised £5.5 million for charity.

Sir Simon said: “At the heart of all of this was a man who’d been diagnosed in childhood with disabilities that included autism and language delay and learning differences.

“He was a vulnerable child, a vulnerable teenager, and a vulnerable adult, so he needed and deserved safeguarding and support and reasonable adjustment every step of the way.”

Prof Arday’s family, in a statement released through his publisher Simon & Schuster, said: “Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.

“The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone.”

Prof Arday’s memoir Great And Unfortunate Things had been due to be published in the UK on August 27.

In a statement on Saturday, his publisher said: “Simon & Schuster is deeply saddened by the news of Jason Arday’s tragic death, and we send our condolences to his family during this devastating time.”

University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said: “We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham described Prof Arday’s death as a “tragedy on so many levels”, particularly for his family and friends.

“We think of them today,” Mr Burnham said.

He added: “It’s not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It’s a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this.

“A really sad, sad and sorry state of affairs and I think we all today think of Jason, his contribution, and his family and friends.”