Jason Arday, the former University of Cambridge professor who resigned from his position last week following allegations of plagiarism and questions over aspects of his career, has been found dead at his home in south London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the 41-year-old’s address by the London Ambulance Service shortly after 3pm on Friday.

A police spokesperson said Arday was pronounced dead at the scene and that his next of kin had been informed and were receiving support.

His death is currently being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious, police said. Officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit are investigating, with a report expected to be prepared for the coroner.

Arday was appointed Professor of Sociology of Education at Cambridge in 2023, becoming the university’s youngest Black professor.

He resigned from the university last week amid allegations of plagiarism and reported inconsistencies in some statements concerning his career and professional achievements.

Announcing his resignation, Arday said the decision came with “profound sadness” and described his appointment at Cambridge as the greatest professional privilege of his career.

He also said that the “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary” had taken a significant toll on him and those close to him.

Arday’s autobiography was published in the United States this week by an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The publisher had previously indicated that the book would be released in the UK later this month.

The University of Cambridge and Simon & Schuster have been contacted for comment.

The circumstances surrounding Arday’s death remain under investigation, and no cause of death has been disclosed.