British academic and sociologist Professor Jason Arday, who resigned from the University of Cambridge last week amid allegations of plagiarism and questions surrounding aspects of his professional history, has been found dead at his home in south London.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the 41-year-old professor’s address by the London Ambulance Service shortly after 3 pm on Friday.
A police spokesperson said Arday was pronounced dead at the scene and that his next of kin had been informed and were being supported by officers.
The police said the death was being treated as unexpected but was not believed to be suspicious. The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit, with a file expected to be prepared for the coroner.
Arday’s death comes just days after he announced his resignation from Cambridge, where he had served as Professor of Sociology of Education. He was appointed to the position in 2023 and became the university’s youngest Black professor, a landmark appointment that attracted significant attention in British academia.
His tenure came under intense scrutiny in recent weeks following allegations of plagiarism and questions about inconsistencies in some statements concerning his career and achievements. In a statement announcing his resignation, Arday said the decision had been made with “profound sadness” and that the continued accusations and public attention had taken a significant toll on him and those close to him.
