The family of Jason Arday, a former Cambridge university’s youngest Black professor who died on Friday amid plagiarism scandal, has blamed his death on a campaign of sustained abuse and misinformation since he became a professor at the institution.
Mr Arday, accused of plagiarising his academic work and exaggerating his achievements, was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at an apartment in London on Friday.
Mr Arday, 41, resigned on August 5 shortly after Cambridge announced that the institution would investigate him over new information that put his “academic qualifications and honorary appointments” in a new light.
The deceased’s family, in a statement by Mr Arday’s publisher Simon & Schuster UK, stated, “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.”
The family, which expressed shock over the incident, vowed not to comment further on Mr Arday’s death.
“We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son. We won’t comment further at this point beyond asking the press to leave us alone now, and to stop the campaign of harassment which has been waged against Jason and his family for too long,” it added.
Commenting on Mr Arday’s death, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Deborah Patience, said she was shock by the tragic development.
“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,” Ms Patience wrote.
Mr Arday, who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, resigned following media reports alleging he plagiarised his PhD thesis and other academic achievements.
The late professor, in his resignation letter, disclosed that he had reached the point where the personal cost of the accusations was too great to bear, adding that his family members were also weighed down by the scrutiny and criticism of his scholarly work.
“The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love,” he noted. “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,” Mr Arday wrote.
