With the Jason Arday episode set to become one of the most important and symbolic stories of the year, and his death one of its foremost tragedies, it is appropriate and timely that there should be an investigation into the whole sorry affair. As Cambridge University announced on Friday, it will launch a two-part investigation into whether it could have done more to support the professor, who was found dead at an address in south London on August 14, a week after he resigned as professor of sociology of education at the university.

The real issue was how Cambridge University elevated Arday in the first place to a position well beyond his merit

The real issue was how Cambridge University elevated Arday in the first place to a position well beyond his merit

Cambridge has said that it will be an “independent review” that will examine its “decision-making, policies and organizational processes” in order to identify “lessons and opportunities for improvement.” The first part of the review will consider the university’s support of Arday, while the second promises to be a broader review of the institutional process and practices related to his appointment and time at the university.

This all sounds noble and dutiful, and one would hope that shows good faith on Cambridge’s behalf. It is welcome........

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