Calls for public inquiry into media reporting on Cambridge researcher
Public figures including Labour MP Diane Abbott and Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, are among over 80,000 signatories of an open letter organised by The Good Law Project, calling for a public inquiry.
Academic researcher Arday was found dead at an address in London on Friday ( 14th August), following media scrutiny over allegations of plagiarism.
Addressed to the UK prime minister and the culture secretary, the Good Law Project letter said Arday had experienced “relentless harassment”, which continued after he resigned from his position as professor of sociology of education at Cambridge on 5th August.
The letter said that “racism lay at the heart of this story” and called for an "immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press”.
The letter said many of its signatories had warned media outlets over their reporting.
Cambridge University’s chancellor, Lord Chris Smith, has criticised what he called “a racist feeding frenzy”.
In a statement following the professor’s death, reported by BBC News, Lord Smith said: "I do believe it is possible to hold to two principles at the same time: to believe in the importance of academic integrity, and where criticisms of plagiarism arise, about any academic, whoever they are, ensure that they are rigorously investigated.
"And also to refuse to join in a racist feeding frenzy over a particular academic."
On 6th August Cambridge announced an independent investigation into Arday’s appointment in 2023. It is unclear whether the university will continue with this investigation.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123.
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2 Comments
Roger Gane
4 weeks ago
I don't understand why Research Live/MRS have highlighted this issue. I cannot see any direct relevance to the research and insight industry. The Jason Arday saga is a complex and sad one. The Good Law Project submission is a simplistic, and probably politically motivated reaction to it. The role of the universities who accepted Arday's claims without 'due diligence', needs examining as does the whole issue of the application of DEI in public life. And if Jason Arday were still alive, it would be perfectly legitimate to continue to question his fantasist academic and physical claims.
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Katie McQuater
4 weeks ago
Hi Roger, thank you for your comment. Research Live’s coverage is not limited to commercial research; we also report on issues relating to research in the public sphere. This story concerns allegations of plagiarism involving an academic researcher, as well as the way the matter has been covered by the media. We therefore consider it a legitimate subject for coverage.
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