Cambridge University has launched an investigation into the Faculty of Education following the controversial appointment of Jason Arday. the probe follows accusations from fellow academics that Arday plagiarized work and fabricated his previous academic history.
The investigation into the 2022 Faculty of Education appointment
Cambridge University Vice Chancellor Deborah Prentice has announced an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2022 hiring of Jason Arday. According to the report, the inquiry will be led by senior academics from both within and outside the university to ensure a thorough and transparent process.
Professor Prentice emphasized that the investigation aims to help the institution learn from its mistakes regarding the appointment process. she noted that currently, appointments to senior academic roles are managed at the department level, a structure that is now under scrutiny.. Prentice also stated that this case is an "aberration" and should not be used to undermine the legitimacy of other staff of color at the university.
Fabricated credentials and the cancellation of Great And Unfortunate Things
The controversy surrounding Jason Arday has led to his resignation from Cambridge University, with Arday citing the intense personal cost of the situation. As reported by the source, the scadnal has also derailed his literary plans, forcing him to cancel several events intended to promote his upcoming memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things.
The core of the allegations involves clams that Arday copied the work of others and invented several of his previous academic positions. these accusations have caused significant "anger and anxiety" throughout the university community,according to Professor Prentice.
The Faculty of Education's website lockdown and the Dr. Farah Ahmed allegations
In the wake of the scandal, the Cambridge Faculty of Education has placed its website into a state of "lockdown." This move included making the previously public "our people" page private, which had featured biographies and research lists for the department's senior academics.
Adding to the departmental tension, reports have surfaced regarding a colleague, Dr. Farah Ahmed. According to the source, there are allegations of Ahmed's historic links to the group Hizb ut-Tahrir, a group banned in the UK in 2024. While Ahmed reportedly distanced herself from the group in 2010, the news has added a layer of complexity to the faculty's current crisis.
Why Durham and Glasgow Universities are also launching probes
The fallout from the Arday appointment is not limited to Cambridge. The scandal has triggered a broader institutional review across the United Kingdom's higher education sector. Professor Prentice revealed that Durham University is currently investigating its own circumstances regarding the appointment of Arday, where he previously worked.
Glasgow University has also made a similar announcement regarding its involvement in the matter. This pattern of investigation suggests that the concerns regarding Arday's credentials are being treated as a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident at a single institution.
The missing answers in the 2023 BBC footage
Several specific details remain unverified as the investigations proceed. While a 2023 BBC film showed Professor Hilary Cremin, the head of the department, telling Arday he was "the best in the world" regarding his research, it remains unclear how such high praise was given if the allegations of plagiarism are proven true. Furthermore, the university has yet to clarify exactly which "invented" posts were identifed by the accusing academics. Finally, the investigation has not yet addressed whether the Faculty of Education's vetting processes were intentionally bypassed or if they simply failed to detect the discrepancies.
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