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A former Cambridge professor was found dead at his London home on Friday, one week after he resigned from his position at the esteemed university following accusations of plagiarism.Jason Arday, 41, became the youngest Black professor at Cambridge when he was appointed to professor of sociology of education in 2023.London’s Metropolitan Police said it responded to a report of a man found unresponsive inside a property at 3:12 p.m.
on Friday, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.His next of kin have been notified and are being supported by officers, police told NBC News, without naming Arday.
Authorities said his death is being treated as “unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.”The case is under investigation.University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice confirmed his passing in a statement Friday.“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,” she said.Arday had resigned on Aug.
5 following scrutiny over alleged plagiarism in his academic work and questions about his accomplishments.Last month, questions regarding his qualifications were raised publicly by Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge philosophy researcher who left the institution after critiquing diversity, equity and inclusion programs, The Associated Press reported.In July, the Times of London also published an analysis of Arday’s 2015 Ph.D.thesis highlighting passages that were “identical or near-identical” to an earlier paper written by another researcher, according to the Associated Press.
British media also questioned Array’s claims that he had raised 5.5 million pounds ($7.4 million) for charity through athletic feats, including running 30 marathons in 35 days and 600 miles in six days.In his resignation statement Arday described his tenure as “the privilege of my life to teach my students,” but conceded “the years since my appoi...