A fundraising appeal for the family of late University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has surpassed £150,000, amid growing public concern over the events surrounding his death and the intense scrutiny he faced before his passing.
The campaign was launched on Saturday by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, a prominent supporter of Arday who died on Friday, shortly after stepping down as Professor of Sociology of Education at Cambridge.
Arday’s resignation followed allegations of plagiarism, which triggered widespread media attention and renewed discussions about race, academic accountability and the treatment of Black scholars in Britain.
Vernon said the response to the appeal reflected the public’s desire to assist Arday’s bereaved family rather than speculation about his personal finances.
“Britain still cares – people, black, white, brown, care and feel angry about the situation,” Vernon said, according to The Guardian.
He added that Arday had a young family and parents who were now dealing with his loss, stressing that the fundraising effort was intended to provide them with support at a difficult time.
Arday’s appointment to a senior academic position at Cambridge had come under renewed examination following the emergence of the plagiarism claims. The university had indicated that it would review aspects of his appointment and tenure as part of a broader assessment of its procedures for selecting senior academics.
However, Cambridge is understood to have paused the process, with the university considering it inappropriate to continue while Arday’s relatives grieve.
Cambridge Chancellor Chris Smith addressed the controversy on Monday, saying allegations of academic misconduct must be examined properly regardless of who is involved. At the same time, he criticised what he described as a racially motivated campaign against Arday.
Smith said it was possible to uphold academic standards while also rejecting what he called a “racist feeding frenzy” directed at an individual academic.
Vernon was among several public figures who rallied behind Arday as the controversy intensified. Green Party leader Zack Polanski and crossbench peer Simon Woolley also signed an open letter expressing support for him.
The controversy has since broadened into a debate over the role of the British press, institutional responsibility, media regulation and race relations in the country.
Campaign group Stand Up to Racism was also due to hold a vigil for Arday at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London, on Monday evening.
His death has further prompted questions about the support available to him while he was under intense public scrutiny, including how Cambridge handled his welfare during the period.
Downing Street has so far declined to comment on whether a formal investigation into the circumstances of his death could be considered, saying it was not prepared to discuss the matter “at this stage.”
As contributions to the appeal continue to grow, supporters have urged the public to focus on helping Arday’s family through their bereavement rather than prolonging the controversy surrounding his academic career.
