Late Cambridge professor Jason Arday cleared of plagiarism again

LONDON — A new Taylor & Francis investigation has again cleared late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, reinforcing earlier findings that dismissed claims circulated by his critics, Byline Times reports.

Jason Arday cleared of plagiarism again

Taylor & Francis said its fresh inquiry found no substantiated plagiarism in Arday’s academic work. The review undermined portrayals of him as a serial plagiarist pushed by outlets that amplified allegations last year.

Investigators said the flagged passages did not meet plagiarism thresholds. Cambridge University previously reached the same conclusion after reviewing his thesis and journal publications. Cambridge called the allegations a “vile campaign” aimed at damaging his credibility, per the Daily Britian.

Campaign against Arday intensified scrutiny

The allegations emerged from a sustained campaign involving figures tied to far‑right networks and groups promoting race‑based theories. Reform UK megadonor Ben Delo backed the Committee for Academic Freedom, which defended Arday’s accusers and funded a new “independent inquiry.”

In July 2024, The Sanctuary hosted an Aporia event featuring Nathan Cofnas, whose claims helped drive the campaign. Aporia operates as a rebranded front for a Nazi eugenics foundation, according to Byline Times.

Earlier claims relied on text comparisons

Cofnas and other critics highlighted similarities between Arday’s 2015 PhD thesis and a 2009 Brunel University thesis. They also cited issues in a 2018 journal article later corrected with added citations, per Byline Times.

Times Higher Education reviewed a 63‑page dossier alleging extensive plagiarism but never published its findings after legal letters from Carter‑Ruck. Cambridge said the issues predated Arday’s time there and noted Liverpool John Moores University found no plagiarism.

Investigations repeatedly clear his work

Four formal reviews, including those by universities and publishers, have now cleared Arday. Each found that similarities were minor or properly attributed. Reviewers said the issues did not compromise his qualitative findings.

Cambridge officials said Arday was targeted by a hostile campaign. Supporters described the attacks as racially motivated and warned that repeated allegations can harm scholars, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Broader fallout continues

Despite multiple exonerations, groups involved in the campaign launched their own inquiry into Arday’s appointment and Cambridge’s recruitment practices, a move critics say was designed to shield earlier reporting rather than evaluate evidence. Jason Arday was Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, and he died by suicide on August 14.

His life story, overcoming developmental delays, autism and late literacy, made him a prominent figure, and his death intensified scrutiny of the environment he faced and renewed calls for stronger protections against academic harassment.