British-born Ghanaian academic, Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday, who holds the record as the youngest Black professor at the prestigious University of Cambridge, is reportedly dead.

According to reports, Professor Jason Arday, who recently resigned as a Cambridge professor of sociology of education after allegations of plagiarism and questions about some of his achievements, was found dead.

A report by the BBC indicated that the academic, who was born to Ghanaian parents, was found "unresponsive" at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon by emergency service officials.

It was stated in the report that police officers from the Metropolitan Police of London were called to the scene of the incident by the London Ambulance Service.

The officers were reported to have indicated that the death of the academic was somewhat suspicious.

"At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious," the police were quoted as saying.

The report further stated that the family of Prof Arday, in a statement issued about his demise, said they were "in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son".

"The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone," the family added.

The Cambridge University vice-chancellor, Prof Deborah Prentice, said that the university community was saddened by the death of Prof Arday.

"We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news.

"Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time," she was quoted as saying.

Professor Arday, before his demise, denied all allegations of plagiarism despite admitting that there were some errors in his work.

He is reported to have said that the brouhaha surrounding the issues has led to "an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack".

In March 2023, the University of Cambridge announced Jason Arday’s appointment as Professor of Sociology of Education in the Faculty of Education.

The appointment made him the sixth Black professor at Cambridge at the time and the youngest Black professor ever appointed by the university.

Ghanaian PhD student shot dead in US

BAI

'Legal vacation doesn't mean judges cannot sit' – CJ Baffoe-Bonnie explains