The University of Cambridge professor has resigned with immediate effect amid a plagiarism row. The sociology of education professor, identified as Prof Jason Arday, said that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to "step away". Earlier, the university confirmed that it had launched a probe "following new information" about the academic qualifications and honorary appointments of the professor.&nbsp; The development unfolded after a row against Prof Jason Arday erupted in September 2025, when Times Higher Education alleged Arday of plagiarising parts of his PhD thesis and several journal articles. The investigation also disclosed that he also palagrised text appearing in quotes, claiming that he had personally interviewed. That story reportedly got shelved for roughly ten months after a Carter-Ruck letter (a UK law firm known for libel/reputation work) silenced the 63-page THE investigation. Beyond the academic plagiarism claims, questions also emerged over charity fundraising claims in his biography; archival records reportedly showed a 2010 JustGiving page raised only £6,285, not the £5 million his biography claimed. Reports describe an 188-sentence plagiarism finding against him. The current Cambridge row centres on Jason Arday, who became Cambridge's youngest Black professor when appointed in 2023 as Professor of Sociology of Education. This follows claims from another academic, Nathan Cofnas, who describes himself as a race realist and was dismissed from his Cambridge position in 2024, who said he'd uncovered multiple plagiarism instances in Arday's work and raised doubts about certain achievements Arday had claimed. Arday has acknowledged mistakes in his work but maintains he is not "a liar."&nbsp;Also read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-says-sheikh-hasina-s-india-media-appearance-hurt-ties-calls-it-an-affront-to-sovereignty-1785977377689">Affront to our sovereignty': Bangladesh slams India over Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference</a><h3>Stepped down from both universities</h3>Cambridge subsequently opened a formal investigation into Arday, scrutinising his academic credentials and honorary titles. He stepped down immediately from both the university and Jesus College, pointing to relentless public scrutiny and personal attacks he'd faced since starting the role, along with a desire to escape the constant public spotlight. In a Wednesday statement shared via the Good Law Project, Arday described his professorship as "without question, the greatest professional privilege of my life." "The years since my appointment have also been marked by an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack," he said, and added, "there comes a point when the personal cost becomes too great". He also said that his resignation shouldn't be seen as a loss of belief in scholarship or in the principles that originally drew him to Cambridge. "Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me." Thanking students and colleagues, the professor said, "for my own wellbeing, for my family, and for those who have stood by me throughout this difficult period, I have concluded that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away". Arday further said that it is not the end of his work and required more "time to heal". "When that time comes, I will return," he added. On Wednesday, the university confirmed that its inquiry related to the row had started after the new information about Arday's "academic qualifications and honorary appointments". "Separately, there remains a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct, which are being handled in line with our Misconduct in Research policy," the University of Cambridge said in a statement. It added: "While we are fully aware of the public commentary and concerns around this matter, it remains vital that any process is thorough and adheres to both university policies and employment law." "We also fully recognise that there is a person at the centre of this situation, and we continue to provide support to him," it further said.&nbsp;

Beyond the academic plagiarism claims, questions also emerged over charity fundraising claims in his biography; archival records reportedly showed a 2010 JustGiving page raised only £6,285, not the £5 million his biography claimed. 

The University of Cambridge professor has resigned with immediate effect amid a plagiarism row. The sociology of education professor, identified as Prof Jason Arday, said that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to "step away". Earlier, the university confirmed that it had launched a probe "following new information" about the academic qualifications and honorary appointments of the professor. The development unfolded after a row against Prof Jason Arday erupted in September 2025, when Times Higher Education alleged Arday of plagiarising parts of his PhD thesis and several journal articles. The investigation also disclosed that he also palagrised text appearing in quotes, claiming that he had personally interviewed. That story reportedly got shelved for roughly ten months after a Carter-Ruck letter (a UK law firm known for libel/reputation work) silenced the 63-page THE investigation. Beyond the academic plagiarism claims, questions also emerged over charity fundraising claims in his biography; archival records reportedly showed a 2010 JustGiving page raised only £6,285, not the £5 million his biography claimed. Reports describe an 188-sentence plagiarism finding against him. The current Cambridge row centres on Jason Arday, who became Cambridge's youngest Black professor when appointed in 2023 as Professor of Sociology of Education. This follows claims from another academic, Nathan Cofnas, who describes himself as a race realist and was dismissed from his Cambridge position in 2024, who said he'd uncovered multiple plagiarism instances in Arday's work and raised doubts about certain achievements Arday had claimed. Arday has acknowledged mistakes in his work but maintains he is not "a liar." Also read: 'Affront to our sovereignty': Bangladesh slams India over Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference Stepped down from both universities Cambridge subsequently opened a formal investigation into Arday, scrutinising his academic credentials and honorary titles. He stepped down immediately from both the university and Jesus College, pointing to relentless public scrutiny and personal attacks he'd faced since starting the role, along with a desire to escape the constant public spotlight. In a Wednesday statement shared via the Good Law Project, Arday described his professorship as "without question, the greatest professional privilege of my life." "The years since my appointment have also been marked by an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack," he said, and added, "there comes a point when the personal cost becomes too great". He also said that his resignation shouldn't be seen as a loss of belief in scholarship or in the principles that originally drew him to Cambridge. "Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me." Thanking students and colleagues, the professor said, "for my own wellbeing, for my family, and for those who have stood by me throughout this difficult period, I have concluded that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away". Arday further said that it is not the end of his work and required more "time to heal". "When that time comes, I will return," he added. On Wednesday, the university confirmed that its inquiry related to the row had started after the new information about Arday's "academic qualifications and honorary appointments". "Separately, there remains a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct, which are being handled in line with our Misconduct in Research policy," the University of Cambridge said in a statement. It added: "While we are fully aware of the public commentary and concerns around this matter, it remains vital that any process is thorough and adheres to both university policies and employment law." "We also fully recognise that there is a person at the centre of this situation, and we continue to provide support to him," it further said.

Beyond the academic plagiarism claims, questions also emerged over charity fundraising claims in his biography; archival records reportedly showed a 2010 JustGiving page raised only £6,285, not the £5 million his biography claimed.&nbsp;

'Time to step away': Cambridge's youngest Black professor resigns amid plagiarism row - What we know

Billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman has ignited a political storm with his accusations of anti-Semitism and plagiarism against Claudine Gay, Harvard's first Black president. Known for founding Pershing Square Capital Management, Ackman's high-profile financial manoeuvres have seen both significant gains and losses. His recent alignment with conservative groups has sparked criticism and accusations of racial bias in his campaign against Gay.

Claudine Gay plagiarism row: Accuser Bill Ackman advocated for Gay's exit from Harvard | WION

Ariana Grande`s latest single `7 Rings` has once again landed her in trouble, as two more rappers have accused her of copying their content. Earlier this month, she was accused by &nbsp;rapper Princess Nokia for stealing lyric and flow from her.&nbsp; 
 
Now, following Princess Nokia`s accusations, two more rappers namely, Soulja Boy and 2 Chainz, have explicitly called out the `thank u, next` singer for allegedly stealing their work for the track.Alleging that Grande stole from his song titled `Pretty Boy Swag,` Soulja Boy replied to a tweet in which the former Nickelodeon star thanked her friends who featured in the `7 Rings` music video and wrote, "Give me my credit. Period." 
 
"Lol stop stealing my swag. Word," he added. He later followed up with "You`re a thief." 
 
Meanwhile, MC 2 Chainz, an Atlanta-based rapper, pointed out the similarity between the `7 Rings` and his `Door Swangin` music video in terms of the setup where the songs were shot.&nbsp; 
 
Both the videos featured hot pink trap houses.Using the reference of Big Draco aka Soulja Boy, a rapper who accused Drake of stealing his musical style, MC 2 Chainz posted a clip of Grande`s `7 Rings` on his Instagram page and wrote "Tryna figure out if I should Big Draco Ariana Grande. You all tell me in the comments. 
#bigdracovibesall2019," 
 
Grande reportedly expects that her new track `7 Rings`, which is slated for release on Friday, will become an anthem for women empowerment.According to sources who were involved in the recording, `7 Rings` was not just a random song title. Shortly after her breakup with Pete Davidson, Grande reportedly went out with her friends to a jewellery store and bought seven engagement rings for them. 
 
The lyrics of `7 Rings` also feature references to her breakups just like `Thank U, Next`.&nbsp;

(With ANI inputs)

Ariana Grande`s latest single `7 Rings` has once again landed her in trouble, as two more rappers have accused her of copying their content. Earlier this month, she was accused by rapper Princess Nokia for stealing lyric and flow from her.

Ariana Grande`s latest single `7 Rings` has once again landed her in trouble, as two more rappers have accused her of copying their content. Earlier this month, she was accused by rapper Princess Nokia for stealing lyric and flow from her. Now, following Princess Nokia`s accusations, two more rappers namely, Soulja Boy and 2 Chainz, have explicitly called out the `thank u, next` singer for allegedly stealing their work for the track.Alleging that Grande stole from his song titled `Pretty Boy Swag,` Soulja Boy replied to a tweet in which the former Nickelodeon star thanked her friends who featured in the `7 Rings` music video and wrote, "Give me my credit. Period." "Lol stop stealing my swag. Word," he added. He later followed up with "You`re a thief." Meanwhile, MC 2 Chainz, an Atlanta-based rapper, pointed out the similarity between the `7 Rings` and his `Door Swangin` music video in terms of the setup where the songs were shot. Both the videos featured hot pink trap houses.Using the reference of Big Draco aka Soulja Boy, a rapper who accused Drake of stealing his musical style, MC 2 Chainz posted a clip of Grande`s `7 Rings` on his Instagram page and wrote "Tryna figure out if I should Big Draco Ariana Grande. You all tell me in the comments. #bigdracovibesall2019," Grande reportedly expects that her new track `7 Rings`, which is slated for release on Friday, will become an anthem for women empowerment.According to sources who were involved in the recording, `7 Rings` was not just a random song title. Shortly after her breakup with Pete Davidson, Grande reportedly went out with her friends to a jewellery store and bought seven engagement rings for them. The lyrics of `7 Rings` also feature references to her breakups just like `Thank U, Next`. (With ANI inputs)

Ariana Grande accussed of plagiarising content by two more rappers

The Shape of Water, a contender for this year`s best picture Oscar, was hit with a plagiarism lawsuit on Wednesday, alleging that its fantastical plot about a romance between a cleaning woman and a mysterious river creature was lifted directly from an American stage play. 
 
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, alleged that director Guillermo del Toro, producer Daniel Kraus and movie studio Fox Searchlight &quot;brazenly copies the story, elements, characters and themes&quot; from a 1969 play by the late Paul Zindel. 
 
The Shape of Water&nbsp;has a leading 13 Oscar nominations at the March 4 Academy Awards ceremony, including nods for best picture and best director. The lawsuit was filed the day after ballots went out to some 8,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who vote on the Oscar winners. 
 
The lawsuit, filed by Zindel`s son David, listed more than 60 resemblances between the play Let Me Hear You Whisper,&nbsp;and The Shape of Water. 
 
They include the play and the movie`s basic story of the lonely janitor who works at a scientific laboratory during the Cold War, forms a loving bond with a captive aquatic creature and hatches a plan to liberate it.&nbsp;In the Zindel play, the creature is a dolphin. In the movie, it is a half-man, half-river creature. 
 
The lawsuit said that despite &quot;the glaring similarities between the play and the obviously derivative picture, defendants never bothered to seek or obtain a customary license&quot; for the rights to Zindel`s play, nor credit him. 
Fox Searchlight denied the claims as &quot;baseless (and) wholly without merit.&quot; 
 
The studio said in a statement that the lawsuit seemed timed &quot;to coincide with the Academy Award voting cycle in order to pressure our studio to quickly settle. Instead, we will vigorously defend ourselves and, by extension, this groundbreaking and original film.&quot; 
 
The lawsuit cited interviews given by Kraus and del Toro in which they said Kraus, an American novelist, came up with the storyline about a janitor who kidnaps an amphibian. 
 
It alleged that Kraus was aware of Zindel and his play, which was produced for television in 1969 and again in 1990. 
 
New York-based Zindel, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his 1964 play The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, died in 2003. 
 
The Shape of Water&nbsp;has already won the best picture Golden Globe and numerous acting and craft awards from film critics` groups in the United States and elsewhere.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, alleged that the film "brazenly copies the story, elements, characters and themes" from a 1969 play by the late Paul Zindel.

The Shape of Water, a contender for this year`s best picture Oscar, was hit with a plagiarism lawsuit on Wednesday, alleging that its fantastical plot about a romance between a cleaning woman and a mysterious river creature was lifted directly from an American stage play. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, alleged that director Guillermo del Toro, producer Daniel Kraus and movie studio Fox Searchlight "brazenly copies the story, elements, characters and themes" from a 1969 play by the late Paul Zindel. The Shape of Water has a leading 13 Oscar nominations at the March 4 Academy Awards ceremony, including nods for best picture and best director. The lawsuit was filed the day after ballots went out to some 8,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who vote on the Oscar winners. The lawsuit, filed by Zindel`s son David, listed more than 60 resemblances between the play Let Me Hear You Whisper, and The Shape of Water. They include the play and the movie`s basic story of the lonely janitor who works at a scientific laboratory during the Cold War, forms a loving bond with a captive aquatic creature and hatches a plan to liberate it. In the Zindel play, the creature is a dolphin. In the movie, it is a half-man, half-river creature. The lawsuit said that despite "the glaring similarities between the play and the obviously derivative picture, defendants never bothered to seek or obtain a customary license" for the rights to Zindel`s play, nor credit him. Fox Searchlight denied the claims as "baseless (and) wholly without merit." The studio said in a statement that the lawsuit seemed timed "to coincide with the Academy Award voting cycle in order to pressure our studio to quickly settle. Instead, we will vigorously defend ourselves and, by extension, this groundbreaking and original film." The lawsuit cited interviews given by Kraus and del Toro in which they said Kraus, an American novelist, came up with the storyline about a janitor who kidnaps an amphibian. It alleged that Kraus was aware of Zindel and his play, which was produced for television in 1969 and again in 1990. New York-based Zindel, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his 1964 play The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, died in 2003. The Shape of Water has already won the best picture Golden Globe and numerous acting and craft awards from film critics` groups in the United States and elsewhere.

Oscar contender 'Shape of Water' accused of plagiarising 1969 American play

A Trump staffer apologised on Wednesday for using remarks by US First Lady Michelle Obama in a speech delivered by Donald Trump&#39;s wife Melania at the Republican National Convention that ignited a deeply embarrassing plagiarism row. 
 
The speech from the ex-model, watched by millions on television on Monday night, amounted to a nightmarish start for the convention and subjected her husband`s presidential campaign to withering scrutiny. 
 
Melania Trump had &quot;always liked&quot; the Democratic first lady and had &quot;read me some passages from Mrs Obama`s speech&quot; as examples of what she wanted to tell the convention, said staffer Meredith McIver. 
 
&quot;I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs Obama`s speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused. No harm was meant,&quot; she said in a statement released by the Trump campaign.&nbsp; 
 
McIver said Trump had refused to accept her resignation, saying that &quot;people make innocent mistakes,&quot; according to her statement. 
 
&quot;I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused. I personally admire the way Mr Trump has handled this situation and I am grateful for his understanding,&quot; said McIver, who was identified as an in-house staff writer from the Trump Organization.&nbsp; 
 
Trump took to Twitter Wednesday to comment on the swirling controversy, saying: &quot;Good news is Melania`s speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!&quot; 
 
He also took a swipe at the media, which he has repeatedly alleged is biased against him and favors Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who herself has recently been mired in an email scandal. 
 
&quot;The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania`s speech than the FBI spent on Hillary`s emails,&quot; he wrote. 
Michelle Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, has high approval ratings across the country and in Melania`s home city has been embraced in New York fashion circles for her sense of style and elegance. 
 
With millions watching on television, the Slovenia-born former model delivered an eloquent and seemingly heartfelt defense of her husband. 
 
&quot;Donald is, and always has been, an amazing leader,&quot; said the 46-year-old. &quot;Now, he will go to work for you.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Despite the unmistakable similarities to remarks given by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic convention, the Trump campaign initially denied any wrongdoing, then made a tacit admission before attempting to insulate Melania, adding to a picture of a campaign in chaos. 
 
But at the convention itself, many Republicans were unperturbed, with delegates and party members praising Melania for her grace and poise in delivering a speech in what is thought to be her fifth language. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Despite the unmistakable similarities to remarks given by Michelle Obama, the Trump campaign initially denied any wrongdoing

A Trump staffer apologised on Wednesday for using remarks by US First Lady Michelle Obama in a speech delivered by Donald Trump's wife Melania at the Republican National Convention that ignited a deeply embarrassing plagiarism row. The speech from the ex-model, watched by millions on television on Monday night, amounted to a nightmarish start for the convention and subjected her husband`s presidential campaign to withering scrutiny. Melania Trump had "always liked" the Democratic first lady and had "read me some passages from Mrs Obama`s speech" as examples of what she wanted to tell the convention, said staffer Meredith McIver. "I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs Obama`s speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused. No harm was meant," she said in a statement released by the Trump campaign. McIver said Trump had refused to accept her resignation, saying that "people make innocent mistakes," according to her statement. "I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused. I personally admire the way Mr Trump has handled this situation and I am grateful for his understanding," said McIver, who was identified as an in-house staff writer from the Trump Organization. Trump took to Twitter Wednesday to comment on the swirling controversy, saying: "Good news is Melania`s speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!" He also took a swipe at the media, which he has repeatedly alleged is biased against him and favors Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who herself has recently been mired in an email scandal. "The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania`s speech than the FBI spent on Hillary`s emails," he wrote. Michelle Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, has high approval ratings across the country and in Melania`s home city has been embraced in New York fashion circles for her sense of style and elegance. With millions watching on television, the Slovenia-born former model delivered an eloquent and seemingly heartfelt defense of her husband. "Donald is, and always has been, an amazing leader," said the 46-year-old. "Now, he will go to work for you." Despite the unmistakable similarities to remarks given by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic convention, the Trump campaign initially denied any wrongdoing, then made a tacit admission before attempting to insulate Melania, adding to a picture of a campaign in chaos. But at the convention itself, many Republicans were unperturbed, with delegates and party members praising Melania for her grace and poise in delivering a speech in what is thought to be her fifth language. (AFP)

Melania plagiarism row: Trump turns down staffer's resignation

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