Professor Jason Arday, one of the highest profile academics at the University of Cambridge and a member of the university Council and its Council of Faculties, has resigned immediately after it is claimed that his chair was offered based on dubious academic credentials and has been applied to his honorary appointments.
Professor Jason Arday belongs to the University of Cambridge Council and Council of Faculties and has resigned from the university, it has been reported, immediately following the claims of plagiarism and academic unworthiness when the university council gave him the chair.
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The award-winning writer and youngest Black professor in Cambridge published over the last year came to call into question his full academic career and numerous publications, prompting him to resign from the faculty. He explained in his resignation letter that the controversy’s “personal cost” was the reason for his resignation, rather than guilt, and he expressed hope to go back into academia someday.
Carey Arday, a former employee at Cambridge University’s Jesus College, revealed new details regarding his academic record, honorary degrees and part of his professional history after the college and its affiliated institution at the university reported on their investigations.
The University of Cambridge and Jesus College announced they have launched formal investigations into Arday’s academic record, honorary appointments and part of his professional history, after theо received new details, which led to the revelations. The inquiries will be conducted fairly, respecting due process, the university said.
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The debate comes on the back of claims that portions of Arday’s doctoral dissertation and some of his published scientific papers contained “plagiarized” work previously published by other researchers. Other questions have surfaced regarding visiting professorships and honorary appointments, and there are reports that some institutions are vehemently contesting some appointments.
Arday has dismissed any intentional acts of plagiarism and research misconduct. He has said that similarities of his doctoral work are the product of poor academic advice and guidance at his doctorate and not deliberate ‘misrepresentation’ and has maintained ‘absolutely no intention to lie’ about his own academics.
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In the lead up to joining Cambridge Arday developed a distinguished academic career, specializing in race, inequality and education. His personal story made headlines around the world when he admitted that he was diagnosed with autism as a child; did not speak until he was 11 years old and did not learn to read or write until his late teens, before eventually earning his doctorate and becoming a professor.
The entire case has spurred debate in British academia with respect to academic integrity, the oversight of institutions and verification of scholarly credentials. Cambridge has yet to say when its investigations will be done, and Arday says that the charges do not take precedence over his academic achievements or journey.
