Former Cambridge professor who couldn't read or write until he was 18 found dead after plagiarism allegations

Jason Ardey, a former Cambridge professor who could not read or write until he was 18, was found dead in his London home on August 14 after being accused of plagiarism, the Associated Press reported.

Ardey, 41, was found unconscious in his home in Battersea, London, on August 14. Paramedics confirmed his death. Police are investigating the death as suspicious, but there are no signs of foul play.

Ardey was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, and did not speak until he was 11 and did not learn to read or write until he was 18. He later earned a doctorate and became the youngest black professor in the history of Cambridge University in 2023. He held the position of professor of sociology of education.

In recent weeks, the scientist’s scientific work has come under serious criticism. The Times and other publications have reported that his doctoral thesis contains many passages that are similar to the work of other researchers. According to The Guardian, more than 100 similar passages were found between Ardey's thesis and another scientific paper.

Ardey has denied plagiarism. He admitted to making some mistakes in his doctoral thesis, but said they were not intentional. An investigation by Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded him his doctorate, also found no evidence of plagiarism, and that some of the shortcomings could have been the result of "honest and reasonable error."

Nevertheless, Cambridge University has launched a separate investigation into Ardey's appointment to the Faculty of Education in 2022 and his subsequent work. The scientist resigned from his post on August 5.

In addition to his scientific work, some of the claims in his biography, including his claims of raising millions of pounds for charity and his sporting achievements, have also been questioned.

In a statement released after his death, Ardey's family said the scientist had faced a "campaign of misinformation, insults and harassment" in recent years. Family members said the pressure had taken a toll on him.