Former University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has cancelled several public appearances following his resignation from the university amid allegations of plagiarism and questions over aspects of his academic and personal record.
Arday, who made history in 2023 as Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, withdrew from a scheduled appearance at the Royal Geographical Society conference in London next month. The organisation confirmed the event was cancelled at his request.
He is also no longer listed as a speaker at a book event in Edinburgh and an authors’ luncheon in Arizona, although he remains scheduled to appear at the Stroud Book Festival in November.
The developments come days after Arday stepped down from Cambridge after the university launched an investigation into fresh information relating to his academic qualifications and honorary appointments.
He has admitted to errors in some of his early academic work but has denied deliberately misleading anyone, insisting he is “not a liar.”
In a statement announcing his resignation, Arday said the intense public scrutiny had taken a significant personal toll.
“While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement. The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love,” he said.
The controversy centres on allegations that sections of his PhD thesis contained plagiarism, as well as questions surrounding claims made in his memoir, including fundraising achievements and endurance feats.
Separately, Arday has resigned as a publication director and trustee of the British Sociological Association. Several organisations are also reviewing or updating his affiliations following his departure from Cambridge.
Despite the controversy, the publication of his memoir, Great and Unfortunate Things, will proceed as scheduled in the United States and the United Kingdom later this month.
The case has reignited debate about academic integrity, institutional vetting processes and the intense public scrutiny faced by high-profile scholars.
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