Jason Arday, who resigned as a Cambridge University professor amid plagiarism allegations and questions about claimed achievements, has cancelled at least one confirmed public appearance and stepped down from his role as a publication director and trustee of the British Sociological Association, BBC News has learned.
Jason Arday cancels public appearances and resigns BSA roles after Cambridge resignation
Jason Arday, who resigned as a Cambridge University professor amid plagiarism allegations and questions about claimed achievements, has cancelled at least one confirmed public appearance and stepped down from his role as a publication director and trustee of the British Sociological Association, BBC News has learned.
Arday had been due to take part in a fireside chat at the Royal Geographical Society's conference in London on 2 September. The organisation confirmed the appearance was 'cancelled at the request of the speaker.'
Arday is no longer listed on the websites of two other upcoming events: a Topping and Company bookshop appearance in Edinburgh scheduled for 18 September, and the Arizona Women's Board Authors' Luncheon on 24 October. The Edinburgh bookshop declined to comment. He remains listed as a speaker at the Stroud Book Festival in Gloucestershire in November.
Arday resigned from the BSA on Sunday, according to BBC News. The BSA, to which Arday gave a lecture earlier this year in which he claimed black academics were being targeted in 'evil' ways, said it would amend its website to reflect the change.
On Wednesday, the University of Cambridge said it had launched an investigation 'following new information' about his 'academic qualifications and honorary appointments.' Arday announced his resignation from Cambridge on the same day.
Arday became Cambridge's youngest ever black professor in 2023. He has been accused of plagiarism in his PhD thesis, and questions have been raised about claimed achievements including running 600 miles in six days and raising £5.5m for charity.
The publisher of Arday's memoir, Great and Unfortunate Things, is proceeding with its US release on Tuesday and UK release on 27 August as planned. The book describes his life from being non-verbal until age 11 and unable to read or write until 18, through to his Cambridge appointment.
Multiple organisations listed Arday in advisory or fellowship roles. The NHS Race and Health Observatory lists him as a member of its academic reference advisory group, citing his now out-of-date Cambridge title. Arday was named a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts by Cambridge when it appointed him. Neither organisation responded to the BBC's request for clarification on whether those roles remain current. Advance HE declined to confirm whether Arday remains a senior fellow of its formerly named Higher Education Academy, citing data protection law. His roles on ITV's Cultural Advisory Council and the Welsh Government's anti-racism external accountability group both ended earlier this year.
- The source does not state the specific nature of the 'new information' prompting Cambridge's investigation.
- The source does not establish whether the NHS Race and Health Observatory or the Royal Society of Arts have taken steps to update or revise Arday's listed roles.
- The source does not state whether Arday's Stroud Book Festival appearance in November remains confirmed by the festival itself.
- The source does not state the specific findings, if any, of any review of Arday's PhD thesis by his awarding institution.
- The source does not state whether Arday's publisher has commented on the plagiarism allegations or the Cambridge investigation.
- The source does not state the current status of Arday's Advance HE senior fellowship, as that organisation declined to confirm it.