The University of Cambridge announced a review of its senior academic hiring procedures following the resignation of professor Jason Arday earlier in the week. The move came after mounting scrutiny regarding claims made about his personal and professional background. However, a group of nearly 100 Cambridge academics, including prominent scholars and Fields medal winner Timothy Gowers, quickly rejected the university’s response as insufficient.
The academics sent a letter to Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice calling for an independent investigation conducted by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge. They requested clarity on the appointment process, any risk assessments made by management regarding media narratives about Arday’s youth and race, and details about the university’s handling of academic misconduct allegations. The letter also asked whether the university was involved in efforts to discourage journalists from reporting on these allegations. Cambridge has previously denied funding Arday’s legal efforts or supporting attempts to stop critical coverage.
The signatories expressed concern about the “toxic and frequently racist commentary” accompanying media coverage of the situation. They warned that the episode could deter future Black academics from pursuing positions at Cambridge and damage the university’s progress in addressing historical underrepresentation. The academics requested a timeline for completing the investigation and a commitment to share findings publicly.
Arday had been appointed as Cambridge’s youngest Black professor three-and-a-half years prior, with a widely publicized life story involving educational disadvantage. His resignation followed media reports questioning various claims about his background, including accusations of plagiarism and discrepancies in other professional assertions. Following Arday’s resignation, Cambridge’s Jesus College withdrew plans for a parallel investigation, with college leadership stating that his resignation concluded their process.
The University of Glasgow also announced a review of Arday’s previous appointment there, stating it aimed to understand all facts and learn lessons for the future. Arday had served as professor of sociology of education at Glasgow before moving to Cambridge.
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