Ex-Cambridge Professor Jason Arday Cancels Events Amid Plagiarism Allegations

Jason Arday, who in 2023 became Cambridge University's youngest ever Black professor, has cancelled a speaking engagement at the Royal Geographical Society conference after resigning from the institution. The cancellation follows plagiarism allegations relating to his PhD thesis, as well as questions about claimed personal achievements — including reportedly running 600 miles in six days and raising £5.5 million for charity. His publisher acknowledged 'improbable triumphs' in the book's descriptions. Arday admitted to errors in his early academic work but denied being a liar, describing the situation as generating 'an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack.' He has also been removed from the listings of at least two other upcoming events.