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Cambridge Professor Resigns Amid Plagiarism Probe; 1.4 M Memoir Advance

8/11/2026

Summary

Arday Resigns

Cambridge sociology professor Jason Arday resigned on Wednesday after the university opened an investigation into his qualifications.
Former Cambridge researcher Nathan Cofnas alleged in July that Arday’s 2015 PhD thesis contains identical passages.
Cambridge reversed its reliance on a Liverpool John Moores University review after new information.
Jesus College opened its own inquiry while the Good Law Project said the accusations forced Arday’s resignation, not an admission of wrongdoing.

Summary

Arday Publishes Memoir

Simon & Schuster will publish Arday’s memoir “Great and Unfortunate Things” on 11 August in the U.S. and 27 August in the U.K. under its 37 Ink imprint.
The publisher reportedly offered a 1.4 million advance, without confirming whether it is in dollars or pounds, and says the book will proceed despite the plagiarism controversy.
The final manuscript omits disputed claims such as the alleged £5.5 million charity fund-raising, according to a Times source.

Summary

Arday Resignation Fallout

Jason Arday resigned Sunday as publication director and trustee of the British Sociological Association, prompting a website update.
He cancelled his Royal Geographical Society talk for 2 September and had his Edinburgh bookshop event on 18 September and the Women’s Board Authors’ Luncheon on 24 October removed.
The NHS Race and Health Observatory still lists him with his former Cambridge title, while the Runnymede Trust defended him against racialised, hyper-aggressive media scrutiny.

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Arday Resigns

Cambridge sociology professor Jason Arday resigned on Wednesday after the university opened an investigation into his qualifications.
Former Cambridge researcher Nathan Cofnas alleged in July that Arday’s 2015 PhD thesis contains identical passages.
Cambridge reversed its reliance on a Liverpool John Moores University review after new information.
Jesus College opened its own inquiry while the Good Law Project said the accusations forced Arday’s resignation, not an admission of wrongdoing.

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