More than 40 senior academics at the University of Cambridge are demanding greater clarity over the university’s review into the death of Professor Jason Arday, questioning whether the process will adequately examine the institution’s role in events leading up to his death.
Arday, 41, died at his home in south London on August 14, nine days after resigning as Cambridge’s professor of sociology of education amid allegations of plagiarism and questions about aspects of his academic career. An inquest into his death has also been opened by a coroner. Police have said the death was unexpected but is not being treated as suspicious.
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In an open letter to Cambridge Chancellor Chris Smith, the academics said it was unclear how the university’s proposed review would answer key questions about its handling of Arday’s appointment, the subsequent controversy and the support provided to him before his death. They called for the review to establish whether there were failures in leadership and, if so, who was responsible and what consequences should follow.
The academics also want the university to examine the circumstances surrounding Arday’s appointment as a professor in 2023, including the processes used to assess his qualifications and career record. They are asking what risks were identified during his appointment and how the university responded as allegations concerning his academic work and background intensified.
Cambridge launched an independent review in the aftermath of Arday’s death. Part One, led by former chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal, is examining the support, interventions and protections available to Arday in the period immediately before his death. The university says this part is being conducted on an expedited basis and is expected to report within three months.
Part Two is intended to examine broader institutional processes, including the recruitment of senior academic staff, mentoring and support, the university’s handling of allegations of research misconduct and the support available to academics facing intense public and media scrutiny. Cambridge said it was still appointing an independent external chair and an expert panel for this part of the review.
The academics’ concerns follow an earlier commitment by Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice to a “thorough and transparent” independent investigation after pressure from staff. Cambridge had initially announced an investigation into new information concerning Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments, as well as separate complaints involving alleged academic misconduct.
Arday’s family has said he was subjected to a sustained campaign of abuse for more than three years following his appointment at Cambridge. The university has also acknowledged that Black students and staff and members of its Faculty of Education received racist and abusive messages following his death. Those claims, along with the allegations concerning Arday’s academic record, are separate matters from the ongoing institutional review and the coroner’s inquest.
The latest demands therefore center on the scope and transparency of Cambridge’s response, with academics seeking assurances that the review will examine not only the support provided to Arday but also the university’s decision-making, governance and handling of the controversy that preceded his death.
