The University of Cambridge will launch a fully independent investigation into the appointment of Jason Arday, Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice announced, conceding the affair had damaged the institution. Senior academics from within and beyond the university will conduct the inquiry, which will also inform a review of senior academic appointment processes.
The development follows Arday's resignation last week after plagiarism allegations and disputed claims about his career. Durham and Glasgow universities have also opened investigations into his previous appointments there.
Amid the scrutiny, Arday's memoir "Great and Unfortunate Things" was published in the United States on Sunday. His British publisher insisted no plagiarism allegations had been raised against the book. Arday, who was diagnosed with autism and did not speak until age 11, has maintained the accusations are a racially motivated campaign to strip him of his professorship.