Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Heckled at Jason Arday Vigil After Missing 1 Student-Led Memorial
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Aug 18
Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Heckled at Jason Arday Vigil After Missing 1 Student-Led Memorial
1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 18
Summary
Prof Deborah Prentice was shouted down at a Monday vigil in Cambridge city centre, her first public appearance since former professor Jason Arday was found dead on Friday.
One attendee called Prentice "shameful" for not attending a separate memorial organised by Arday's students on Sunday; Cambridge said she came to the vigil to pay her respects.
Arday, 41, had resigned earlier this month after plagiarism allegations he denied, with supporters at the vigil saying the media scrutiny he faced was disproportionate and racially charged.
Speakers linked his treatment to wider pressures on academics of colour, noting black professors make up just 1% of UK university professors.
The backlash has widened beyond Cambridge: more than 100,000 people have signed a letter urging a public inquiry into media coverage before Arday's death, though Downing Street has not committed to one.