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Jason Arday funeral fundraiser tops 150,000 after tragic death in Cambridge plagiarism scandal

People have rushed to support the bereaved family of Cambridge professor Jason Arday, who was found dead at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon

[Jason Arday at the university ]

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Jason Arday quit his role over allegations of plagiarism(Image: ARU)

More than 150,000 has been raised to help the family of tragic Cambridge professor Jason Arday 24 hours after an appeal was launched.

Prof Arday, who resigned earlier this month following a plagiarism row, was found dead after emergency services were called to an address in Battersea on Friday. The 41-year-old quit as professor of sociology of education at the University following the accusations and subsequent investigation.

Mr Arday - who became Cambridge's youngest ever black professor in 2023 - admitted errors in his work, but said he had faced "an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack" and was not a "liar" after the originality of his PhD thesis was called into question.

The late British sociologist married Debbie-Ann McKenzie in 2014. They shared two children together and split in 2019.

[Jason Arday ]

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The professor was found dead in London on Friday(Image: Humphrey Nemar)

[Sir Patrick Vernon]

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Sir Patrick Vernon has launched an online fundraiser (Image: Supplied)

Following his death last week, a donation page, set up by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, has already exceeded its original 50,000 target to help cover funeral costs for Mr Arday's family. A vigil will also be held on Monday evening on the steps of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.

The GoFundMe asked for help to support the family of the professor with funeral and associated costs. Within 18 hours of being set up, the appeal had reached more than 65,000, with the level of support prompting the target to be more than doubled to 110,000.

In a statement issued through the fundraiser, Jason's family said they had been "touched by the messages of love, condolences and acts of kindness" since his death, and asked for privacy to grieve.

His family said: "We are incredibly moved by the generosity of those who have contributed in any way to Jason's funeral, memorial and associated costs. Whilst no sum of money will ever bring him back to us, the generosity you have shown is helping to ease some of the practical pressures we face while we try to come to terms with our loss.

"It has brought us some comfort to hear from the many people whose lives Jason touched as a family member, friend, colleague, teacher, academic, author or advocate. Jason achieved so much during his life and inspired many people through his determination, compassion and commitment to creating opportunities for others by.

"We are so proud of him and wish for his life to be remembered for the person he truly was and the positive difference he made in the world. We thank you for standing alongside us and helping us honour him through your words and actions.At this time, we kindly ask that our family's privacy and space to grieve are respected."

Mr Vernon wrote: "Jason was a pioneering Black British academic, author, educator and advocate whose extraordinary journey inspired people across Britain and internationally. His appointment at the University of Cambridge was historic, and his work brought important attention to race, education, inequality and neurodiversity.

"But behind the public figure was a human being: a husband, father, relative, friend and colleague. Those who knew Jason have described him as a gentle soul.

[Jason Arday sitting on a bench]

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Jason Arday resigned as professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge earlier this month(Image: Graeme Robertson)

"In the period before his death, Jason was subjected to intense public scrutiny following allegations concerning aspects of his academic work and career. Those matters became the subject of significant media and social media attention. Jason disputed allegations made against him, and questions surrounding them had not all been finally determined when he died."

He went on to write: "I am therefore establishing this fund to help contribute towards funeral, memorial and associated family costs and to provide practical support during an unimaginably difficult period.

"I have seen first-hand how, at the moment when a family is experiencing profound grief, the financial cost of a funeral and the practical responsibilities surrounding a death can become an additional burden.

"Today should be about compassion, dignity and solidarity with a grieving family. Jason's life was bigger than the controversy that surrounded his final weeks."

The Metropolitan Police said his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham reporters during a visit to Cornwall: Its a tragedy on so many levels, but particularly just for everybody who knew Jason, his family obviously, his friends. We think of think of them today.

Its not a moment for any rushing to judgment. Its a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how how things came to this.

A really sad, sad and sorry state of affairs and I think we all today think of Jason, his contribution, and his family and friends.

Prof Arday said he felt he couldnt go on hours before he died, a friend revealed earlier on Saturday.

A series of media reports alleged he plagiarised his PhD thesis, which he completed at Liverpool John Moores University, and other research. Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded his PhD in 2015, found he had not plagiarised work. Mr Arday admitted he was accountable for errors in his work, but told The Times: What I am not is a liar.

Further questions were asked in the press about the truth of other claims he made, including saying he ran 600 miles in six days and that he had raised more than 5million for charity.

The row erupted after academic, Nathan Cofnas sacked from his Cambridge role in 2024, said he found numerous instances of plagiarism in the professors work. Mr Arday, a professor of the sociology of education, said some errors in his early academic work arose due to his autism, as he relied on mimicry to make sense of information.

Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. You can also email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org

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