Jason Arday: University of Cambridge will review 'decision-making' after death of professor

The University of Cambridge will carry out an independent review to "identify shortcomings" following the death of Professor Jason Arday.

The 41-year-old resigned from his post as professor of sociology of education at the university last month after facing accusations of plagiarism.

He was found "unresponsive" by family members at home in Battersea, south London, on 14 August, an inquest at London Inner South Coroner's Court heard last month.

On Friday, the university posted on social media: "Today, university council took the necessary steps to launch an independent review into the university's decision-making and actions, with a focus on identifying shortcomings and areas for improvement."

The first part will cover the "support, interventions and protections available to Prof Arday during the period prior to his death", vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said.

It will report back in three months, "enabling recommendations for urgent action to be considered and implemented without delay".

Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for the North West of England and current chancellor of the University of Manchester, will lead it.

The second part will examine the university's "response to allegations of research misconduct" and the support offered to academics "who are subject to extraordinary public and media scrutiny".

It will appoint an independent external chair to lead this work and report back within six months of the panel being established.

Last month, Prof Arday's family thanked supporters for their fundraiser donations - which have reached nearly £225,000 at the time of writing.

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They spoke of their "shock" following his death and said he had faced a "campaign of misinformation".

In Prof Arday's resignation letter, he told colleagues: "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."

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