I had similar messages from Jason in the days up to his death (to the friend quoted in this thread). He was being gaslit on an industrial scale and so many academics were quick to believe those lies.

Emma Monk@monkemma.bsky.social · 16h ago

One of the first "outrageous" claims I saw as Jason Arday's media hounding unfolded was that he ran 30 marathons in 35 days! Wow! What a thing to claim! And the newspapers all suggested there was no evidence he actually did it. Well, they clearly didn't look very hard 🙄 🧵 1/26

Academic freedom is not being able to say whatever you want, irrespective of whether there is a robust evidence base. Setting aside the racist ideology, damning a qualitative researcher for not using stats to analyse interview transcripts seems like a stretch for academic freedom

In an effort to do more life affirming things, I went to see @rkrystalli.bsky.social chair a discussion between @natashawalter.bsky.social and @talatyaqoob.bsky.social, imagining feminist futures, even while the world seems so dire

FWIW I think it's a mistake to raise the profile of Cofnas even further - it's what he wants. He's clearly trying to make a career out of sharing fascist talking points.

Prof Arday was exceptional. For far too many journalists and academics that is hard to accept because he secured access to what they see as *their* intellectual and public engagement spaces. I hope that as well as dismantling the racism that took Jason's life, we can remember his brilliance.

Middle East Eye (Unofficial)@middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 3d ago

Jason Arday's marathon challenge and football claims found to be true after his death - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jason-ardays-marathon-challenge-and-football-claims-found-be-true-after-his-death

It's something to see so many (white) academics discover Jason was a good academic, including by the metrics of the neoliberal university. To those who believed the lies told about Jason; have you asked yourself why you were so quick to believe those lies?

Kate Sang@katesang.bsky.social · 4d ago

This is a really important piece. I've seen many academics get caught up in what was true/not true without asking themselves who is taking them to that place and why. bylinetimes.com/2026/08/18/t...

This is a really important piece. I've seen many academics get caught up in what was true/not true without asking themselves who is taking them to that place and why. bylinetimes.com/2026/08/18/t...

The Peter Thiel-Linked Race Science Network that Penetrated Cambridge University and Targeted Jason Arday

The media's coverage of the academic's life was fuelled by the campaign of an established far-right network

bylinetimes.com

Dundee is fighting back. Join the action to defend Dundee University on 8 September, 12.30pm at Bonar Hall.

'Spiderman facing off Spiderman meme' I guess.

Jordan@jordanpfot.bsky.social · 5d ago

Where to even start with this

I'm glad to see the turnout, but I so wish it wasn't necessary

Matthew Bell@matthewgbell.bsky.social · 5d ago

Trafalgar Square

I'm really disappointed @monicalennon.bsky.social won't be on the ballot - for so many reasons. Monica has shown world leading political leadership, while retaining a commitment to core Labour values.

I understand that the Edinburgh vigil for Prof Arday has been postponed at the reqest of Jason's family.

We would encourage all UCU members in London to attend the vigil for Jason Arday which will take place on Monday in Trafalgar Square at 6pm. Bring your love and solidarity.

I can't make the vigil in London, so I will go to this (although I appreciate it's only the London vigil which is endorsed by Jason's family). I'm still in shock, and full of anger. Not just at 'the media' but everyone who jumped on the racist bandwagon

Nikolaos Papadogiannis@npapadogian.bsky.social · 7d ago

If in Edinburgh, please participate in the vigil for Jason Arday tomorrow, 17 August, at 18.00 outside the Scottish Parliament. Moreover, please consider signing the Good Law project petition for an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press: goodlawproject.org/petition/jas...

We need to show newspapers that actions have consequences. Add your name: goodlawproject.org/s/abb8a1 I've removed 'rightwing' as the Guardian also got stuck in to Jason.

Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project

Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.

goodlawproject.org

Everyone is still trying to come up with their hot, unique takes and I just keep thinking “a person is dead“. An individual life, cut short. That’s the tragedy, that’s the gross injustice. Why can’t we for once just sit with that.

Stand Up To Racism are hosting a vigil for Prof Arday on the 17th August 6pm Trafalgar Sq. Unfortunately I can't get to London on Monday, but I hope others in the area will go

I've woken up (from the little sleep I had) in shock, upset and so angry. A kind and warm man was targeted relentlessly for being successful and Black (and neurodivergent). It's not just the press who need to hang their heads in shame, but so many social media users.

In 2023 I thought I was going to lose everything and became, for a short period, the centre of a media storm. Seeing my own name and face on the news was horrendous. I had good friends who didn't leave me alone for more than short periods. There is so much I want to say about how angry I am

So what I feared would happen to my friend has happened. I don't know what else to say at the moment, except he was incredibly kind to me, and I'm sure others, when they needed it most.

Join us for this rally on the 8th Sep if you are against the cuts and closures proposed at the University of Dundee. This will be our last chance to show the University's Court the strength of support ahead of their crucial meeting. Everyone welcome! Gather on the Nethergate, outside Bonar Hall.

Could we please have a hefty cross party group of MPs urging the 2 most relevant Secretaries of State (at DfE and BIST) to intervene in the car crash that is higher education and research funding and policy, as joined-at-the-hip in universities? We're all in this together.

Oxford Clarion@oxfordclarion.bsky.social · last mo.

A cross party group of MPs led by Olly Glover have urged the Secretary of State to intervene over £162m proposed cuts to the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), warning the cuts could seriously damage the UK's global leadership in science, innovation and space research.

I firmly believe this was a defining moment in British politics. If Brown had stood by his comment and it had been worse to be a bigot, than be called one, we probably wouldn't be in the dire situation we are now.

Phil White@revdphilippa.bsky.social · last wk.

THIS. Ever since Gordon Brown's 'bigoted woman' it has been a totally untouchable axiom that concerns about immigration are well founded and unchallengeable. If we had a media and/ or political climate where we were able to challenge these views we might be in a better place.

Last few days to sign up for the Queer in STEM workshop in Cambridge in September! Sign up here: www.outsavvy.com/event/35459/...

Queer in STEM Workshop Tickets - Cambridge - OutSavvy

Calling all LGBTQ+ people in STEM: scientists & engineers, communicators & mathematicians, dreamers & builders. Join us in September 2026 for a 2-day gathering, bringing together queer sc...

outsavvy.com

Today our members voted to extend our mandate for strike action and action short of a strike by 12 months We are keen to resolve this dispute without further action, but we must, sadly, prepare for more action next academic year. Thank you to all at @ucuscotland.bsky.social for their support

HWUCU@hwucu.bsky.social · 2w ago

A cat, a frog, a VP, and a bee are holding a banner. Sorry, there is no punchline. This is no joke - WE HAD A DEAL Thank you to @ucu.org.uk VP HE @markpendleton.bsky.social for coming to visit today. Solidarity with @sheffielducu.bsky.social

Apparently it needs to be said - an autisitic person being 'non-verbal' does not mean they do not speak at all, or communicate verbally. Some autistic people may experience situational non-verbalism (used to be called selective mutism).

TransActual is launching the Trans Lives Survey 2026. It's quick, anonymous and will help us campaign for our community! Take the survey here: form.typeform.com/to/BRppksJ3 #TransLives #TransSurvey #Trans

EDICa's latest bimonthly newsletter is out. PDF here: go.hw.ac.uk/EDICa/Newsle... Sway version here: go.hw.ac.uk/EDICa/Newsle... In this edition we say goodbye to the five postdocs who have worked on EDICa. Project manager and yours truly comms person have contracts to Christmas. Also announcing:🧵

Our work with @autonomy-institute.bsky.social on the impact of problematic #menstruation #perimenopause coauthored by @wstronge.bsky.social and me! @edicaucus.bsky.social Half of women have a negative experience at work, less than 1 in 5 receive workplace support. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Half of women say 'period symptoms affect them at work - but 16% have support'

EXCLUSIVE: Some 42% of women have taken time off because of period symptoms in the last year, while just under half (44%) have worked through symptoms for more than ten days, a study shows

mirror.co.uk

Picketing, with picket pup, the next generation trade unionists, inflatables, and resolve. Reminding Heriot-Watt bosses WE HAD A DEAL and we will fight for every job. #Edinburgh #UCU #HigherEducation @edinburghminute.com @edinreporter.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk