Cambridge University is one of the more elite higher learning institutions in the world. So of course it was a big deal when one of the school's professors reportedly got caught plagiarizing. As well as lying about his work history.
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Cambridge Professor Under Fire For Alleged Plagiarism
According to a Tuesday (August 4) report from the New York Post, the professor Jason Arday was the youngest black man ever to hold a professorship at the University. Arday has been accused of ripping off more than 100 passages in his PhD dissertation from another academic's work.
Additionally, Arday has also been accused of lying about his previous work history. He listed three previous academic institutions in his biography on the University's website. None of the institutions have a record of Arday ever working there.
For example, Arday listed on his bio that he is a "visiting professor" at Ohio State University's Office of Diversity and Inclusion. However, that is not possible because the school's DEI office closed in 2025. In addition, school officials said they have no record of him ever being employed there, according to the National Review.
The catalyst for the investigation into Arday began after a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University in Belgium, Nathan Cofnas, published a Substack article. One where he accused Arday of using plagiarism to complete his PhD dissertation.
In his findings, Cofnas said he found "more than 100 passages" that had been ripped off from the thesis of Brunel University student Paula Zwozdiak-Myers.
Cambridge Speaks Out Amid Allegations
In a statement to the Guardian, Cambridge says that they take the allegations against Arday "incredibly seriously."
"It is university procedure that investigations are carried out by the institution at which the research was undertaken. This is standard practice in the sector. Because that institution has access to the information to ensure a full and fair investigation," a spokesperson for the University said.
Additionally, Arday himself told the outlet that he encourages a "fair investigation process for genuine concerns" of academic misconduct.
"To clarify, there have been multiple thorough investigations across several institutions. As a result of the allegations, and immense scrutiny. Including with an academic misconduct panel who concluded that there was no plagiarism or academic misconduct," he said.
