The former Cambridge professor at the centre of a plagiarism scandal has been found dead, according to Channels Television. The outlet reports the death occurred after the academic faced scrutiny over their record.
The professor’s family said the individual endured “sustained abuse” following the allegations, as reported by CNN. The scrutiny centred on questions about the academic’s published work and qualifications.
Channels Television’s report follows a period of intense public attention on the professor’s career. The BBC notes that there have been calls for a public inquiry into what some describe as a “witch hunt” against the academic. The New York Times adds that the death raises hard questions for Cambridge regarding race and hiring practices.
The professor had been a prominent figure at the university, and the plagiarism allegations drew widespread media coverage. Premium Times Nigeria also confirmed the death, identifying the former professor as Jason Arday.
The circumstances surrounding the death have not been fully detailed in the reports. The family’s statement, as carried by CNN, points to the toll that the public dispute took on the individual.
The university has not yet issued a formal response to the death, according to the available reporting. The calls for a public inquiry, highlighted by the BBC, suggest that the controversy is unlikely to subside quickly.
What to watch next: whether Cambridge or UK authorities announce an official investigation into the professor’s death and the events leading up to it.
