A Belgian university has suspended American academic Nathan Cofnas after he led plagiarism accusations against the late Cambridge University professor Jason Arday.
Ghent University said it had launched a preliminary disciplinary investigation into a postdoctoral researcher involved in the case. The university said the suspension was a precautionary measure and stressed its opposition to discrimination while also defending academic freedom.
Cofnas, an outspoken critic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), claimed on social media that he had been suspended and expected to be dismissed.
The controversy began after Cofnas accused Arday of plagiarising parts of his doctoral thesis and exaggerating aspects of his personal achievements. Arday, who became Cambridge’s youngest-ever Black professor in 2023, denied the allegations.
Arday resigned from Cambridge on August 5, saying he had reached the limits of what anyone should reasonably be expected to endure. He was found dead at his London home on August 14, aged 41.
His death has sparked widespread debate in Britain, with supporters accusing sections of the media and critics of subjecting him to a racist campaign. Anti-racism groups have organised vigils and rallies in his memory.
Cofnas himself was dismissed from Cambridge in 2024 over controversial views on race. He has argued that intelligence differs between racial groups and has been a prominent critic of DEI policies.
Ghent University said it is assessing whether there are sufficient grounds for full disciplinary proceedings and that it is taking recent statements surrounding the case “very seriously.”
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