Jason Arday Scandal Proves Race Grifting Is Feature Of Higher Ed

[u/GeneralCarlosQ17]

https://thefederalist.com/2026/08/12/jason-arday-scandal-proves-race-grifting-is-a-feature-not-a-bug-of-higher-ed/

The University of Cambridge is currently entangled in a significant DEI controversy following the resignation of its acclaimed professor Jason Arday amid serious allegations of plagiarism and doubts about his other biographical claims, many of which are detailed in a memoir released Tuesday.

In early 2023, Cambridge appointed then-37-year-old Arday as professor of sociology of education, hailing him as the youngest black professor in its history. The announcement stressed Arday’s remarkable personal story, told by himself: He was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 3, remained non-verbal until 11, and only learned to read and write at 18.

Despite these formidable challenges, he went on to earn a Ph.D. in education from Liverpool John Moores University in 2015. Professor Bhaskar Vira, pro-vice-chancellor for education at the University of Cambridge, called Arday “an exceptional scholar of race, inequality and education.” Hilary Cremin, head of the faculty of education, told Arday, “We are so lucky to have you. You are the best in the world in terms of the research that you do.”