Over 30,000 individuals, including public figures like Diane Abbott and Jameela Jamil, are calling for a formal public inquiry into the treatment of Jason Arday. Arday, a former professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge, was found dead in Battersea on Friday at age 41. The request for an inquiry comes from the Good Law Project, which represented him during a period of intense media scrutiny following plagiarism allegations.
The inquiry supporters argue that Arday was subjected to a targeted witch hunt that created a hostile environment. Lord Woolley, principal of Homerton College at Cambridge, described the media pressure as a bloodsport and noted that Arday appeared physically diminished when they met shortly before his death. Supporters of the inquiry demand a closer examination of how press outlets conduct reporting on individuals facing professional allegations, particularly when those individuals belong to underrepresented groups in academia.
While Arday resigned from his post at Cambridge on August 5, he denied the claims of plagiarism. Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded his PhD in 2015, conducted a review and concluded that he did not plagiarize his work. The University of Cambridge has stated that it provided support, including counseling and advice, to Arday throughout his time at the institution and during the period of public scrutiny following his resignation.
The public discussion regarding this case also touches on wider issues within higher education. Currently, black professors account for only one percent of the total in UK universities. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death continues, while a vigil organized by Stand Up To Racism is scheduled to occur at Trafalgar Square.