GoFundMe for late Cambridge Professor Jason Arday’s family surpasses £100,000 as public outpouring grows

A wave of public grief and solidarity has pushed a fundraiser for the family of late Cambridge professor Jason Arday past £100,000 — less than 24 hours after it was launched — as the United Kingdom grapples with the circumstances surrounding his death, according to the Peoples Gazette and the Daily Mirror.

Prof Arday, 41 — who made history in 2023 as Cambridge University’s youngest ever Black professor — was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday, days after resigning from his role as professor of sociology of education following a plagiarism investigation. The Metropolitan Police said his death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious.

The GoFundMe, established by British cultural historian and Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, originally targeted £50,000 to help cover funeral costs. Within 18 hours it had raised £65,000, prompting the target to be doubled to £110,000. It had reached £90,642 at the time of this report.

In a statement, Arday’s family said they were “incredibly moved by the generosity of those who have contributed” and asked for privacy to grieve, adding: “Jason achieved so much during his life and inspired many people through his determination, compassion and commitment to creating opportunities for others.”

Vernon wrote that “accountability must never mean abandoning compassion, dignity or our shared humanity,” adding there would be “a time for serious reflection about Jason’s experiences and the responsibilities of academia, institutions, journalism and social media.”

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham echoed that sentiment Saturday, saying: “It’s not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It’s a moment for reflection — a really sad, sad and sorry state of affairs.” Friends of the late professor have since called for a formal public inquiry into media coverage in the weeks before his death.