Former University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday was found dead at an address in Battersea, south London, United Kingdom, on Friday. Police said the death was unexpected but not suspicious.
The Metropolitan Police said officers attended after an ambulance call shortly after 3 p.m. BST, and Paramedics pronounced Arday, 41, dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, his family said through publisher Simon & Schuster UK that it was “in shock” over his death. The family said he had faced sustained abuse and a campaign of misinformation, while requesting privacy.
University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said the institution was “desperately saddened.” She offered condolences to Arday’s family and friends in an Aug. 14 statement.
Separately, UK Education Secretary Lucy Powell expressed shock and urged people to remember that public controversies involve individuals with families.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said on X on Aug. 14 that Arday had faced public hounding and abuse. He called the death a tragedy and urged wider reflection. Earlier, Arday resigned as professor of sociology of education on Aug. 5.
The resignation followed allegations of plagiarism and questions about aspects of his career history. He denied the allegations and said public accusations and speculation had taken a profound toll.
Read: Cambridge Confirms Minor Exam Question Leaks in June 2025 Series
In 2023, Arday became Cambridge’s youngest Black professor. Previously, Liverpool John Moores University reviewed plagiarism claims regarding his doctoral thesis and found that his PhD remained valid.
Police said officers from the Central South Command Unit were investigating and would prepare a file for the coroner. Authorities had not announced a cause of death.
Simon & Schuster released Arday’s memoir, “Great and Unfortunate Things,” in the United States on Aug. 11. The publisher scheduled its United Kingdom release for Aug. 27.
