Story perspectives

Liverpool panel finds plagiarism in parts of Arday's thesis

8/4/2026

Summary

Arday Faces Plagiarism

Liverpool John Moores University’s misconduct panel found plagiarism in parts of Professor Jason Arday’s thesis, citing a supervisory team.
Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu withdrew her support for Arday, prompting Professor Colin Mills to call for investigation.
The University of Glasgow confirmed Arday never held a visiting professorship there, contradicting Cambridge’s faculty website.
WaterAid said it does not send volunteers abroad, refuting Arday’s claim he installed water points for the charity.

Summary

Arday Joins Cambridge

Jason Arday was appointed to Cambridge University at age 37.
He grew up in south London as the child of Ghanaian working-class immigrants.
Diagnosed in childhood with autism, dyslexia and global development delay, he remained non-verbal until 11 and learned to read and write at 18.
Diversity advocates cite his story as proof that neurodivergent scholars from disadvantaged backgrounds can reach senior academic positions.

Summary

Arday Publishes Memoir

Arday reported a severed pig’s head was mailed to his parents and a masked, knife-wielding intruder entered his university office.
His memoir “Great and Unfortunate Things,” about ultra-distance runs and fundraising, will be released next week by Simon & Schuster’s 37 Ink imprint.
A scholar with racist views circulated a newsletter questioning Arday’s biography, prompting media attention, a petition that gathered thousands, and prompting Harvard to issue citation corrections in a case.

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Arday Faces Plagiarism

Liverpool John Moores University’s misconduct panel found plagiarism in parts of Professor Jason Arday’s thesis, citing a supervisory team.
Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu withdrew her support for Arday, prompting Professor Colin Mills to call for investigation.
The University of Glasgow confirmed Arday never held a visiting professorship there, contradicting Cambridge’s faculty website.
WaterAid said it does not send volunteers abroad, refuting Arday’s claim he installed water points for the charity.

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