Leaders of the University of Cambridge are facing criticism for the “appalling racism triggered” by the appointment of Jason Arday as a professor, with a group of academics advocating for an independent investigation into the matter.
Sources indicate that prominent scholars at Cambridge are drafting a collective letter requesting a thorough inquiry into the selection process and conditions surrounding Arday’s appointment, with many asserting that the university sought a “quick solution” to bolster its diversity efforts.
At just 37 years old, Arday was named professor of sociology of education in 2023, despite having a limited record of research and publications compared to other faculty members in similar positions at the university.
Arday resigned on Wednesday, following a week of public scrutiny regarding allegations of plagiarism in his PhD dissertation and other works, accusations of inflating his academic credentials, and growing controversy over his claims of having raised significant funds for charity. Moreover, unsettling reports emerged involving masked assailants and even the delivery of a pig’s head to his family’s home in London.
In the coming days, Arday is set to release his memoir in both the US and the UK, revealing that his publisher, Simon & Schuster, has agreed to pay him “1.4 million” for his compelling life story, which includes not being able to speak until the age of 11.
The group of Cambridge academics is advocating for the inquiry to include external members and to maintain independence. They have expressed concerns about the appointment committee responsible for Arday’s hiring, as well as previous tensions within the university’s faculty of education, where he was situated.
Priyamvada Gopal, a professor of postcolonial studies at the university’s English faculty and one of the letter’s organizers, stated, “An independent investigation must examine how such a senior position was filled by someone at such an early stage in their career and what mistakes may have been made by both the faculty of education and the university administration.”
She further emphasized, “Regardless of the investigation’s outcomes, the university must take responsibility for the profound racism that this situation has incited, as well as for the damage done to the individual at the center of this controversy, to Black academics as a collective, and to the field of critical race studies at large. Accountability is essential, not an attempt to conceal the issue.”
Other scholars interviewed expressed their astonishment at Arday’s 2023 appointment, with one sociologist admitting to being unfamiliar with his work prior to the announcement: “Upon learning of his appointment, I sought out his body of work, and it was quite disappointing.”
Gopal criticized Cambridge for seemingly prioritizing a media-friendly appointment over the substantial effort required to promote equality and inclusion. “The way this appointment was showcased in the press raises doubts about whether the university was more interested in self-promotion than in the teaching and research outcomes that should stem from such a role,” she remarked. “It is, to say the least, quite unusual for a nascent academic to be appointed to such a significant position.”
She also noted that the university needs to establish more rigorous and transparent procedures to address academic misconduct, as indicated by more than one case at Cambridge. “The institution must be cautious about placing young people of color in prominent positions, as they often carry the weight of representation before they are fully prepared for such scrutiny.”
Initially, in response to the growing controversy, the university defended its appointment process and characterized Arday as “the target of a malicious campaign” aimed at undermining his credibility. However, on Wednesday evening, the university announced it would initiate a new investigation after receiving “new information” pertaining to his qualifications and appointments.
Shortly thereafter, Arday announced his resignation, stating, “I no longer wish to live under the constant scrutiny where every aspect of my life is subject to public examination and judgment.”
In the aftermath, the university and other institutions have distanced themselves from Arday, removing webpages and references related to him, an action described by one academic as “erasing the evidence.” Both Jesus College, Cambridge, and the university’s faculty of education have taken down Arday’s staff profiles.
After his appointment at Cambridge, Arday joined various speakers’ bureaus and addressed several commercial organizations, including the annual conference of the Association of British Insurers set for 2025. However, references to his planned speech have since been removed from the ABI website.
Simon & Schuster’s speakers bureau lists Arday as “an internationally sought-after speaker for industry conferences, corporate events, university lectures, and more,” indicating that he has traveled across the United States for speaking engagements. In 2024, he was a keynote speaker at the US National Association of Funeral Directors international convention in New Orleans. Nevertheless, his future engagements may dwindle, as an upcoming appearance in Arizona scheduled for October has also been canceled.
