Nathan Cofnas, a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University who accused late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, has been suspended following Arday’s death.
The academic controversy surrounding late University of Cambridge professor Theguardian reached a new administrative milestone on Thursday as Yahoo took formal action against the researcher who targeted him. Nathan Cofnas, a postdoctoral researcher in the philosophy and moral sciences department, announced his suspension publicly, writing on X that his termination appeared imminent.
Arday, who in 2023 became Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, resigned from his position earlier in the month following unproven plagiarism allegations published by Cofnas. The resulting scrutiny intensified after Arday was found dead in south London on Friday, prompting widespread public mourning, including a vigil in Trafalgar Square attended by more than 30,000 people.
Ghent University Announces Suspension and Disciplinary Proceedings
University leadership in Belgium moved swiftly following intense public inquiry.
“Over the past few days, Ghent University has received many enquiries following the death of Cambridge professor Jason Arday and the public reactions to it.”
Petra De Sutter and Herwig Reynaert, Ghent University
The university confirmed that Cofnas was formally notified of a preliminary disciplinary investigation to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to refer the matter to a competent disciplinary body.
“I am under investigation by my university for discriminating against Arday.”
Nathan Cofnas, Postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University
Cofnas added in a separate social media update reported by Theguardian: I was just suspended by Ghent University. They will almost certainly fire me.
Reuters noted that the Belgian university did not immediately respond to requests for further comment beyond its official statements.
Prior Dismissals and Broader Academic Controversy
The disciplinary measures at Ghent follow an earlier dismissal in the United Kingdom. Cofnas was previously fired from Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 2024 following blog posts arguing that Black people scored lower on intelligence tests and asserting that meritocratic systems would naturally exclude Black individuals from high-profile positions outside sports and entertainment.
Scientific consensus attributes IQ score discrepancies to environmental factors, socioeconomic status, and systemic methodological differences rather than inherent racial traits. Despite his previous firing in the UK, Cofnas was subsequently hired by Ghent University earlier this year after the institution determined his prior statements did not violate Belgian law or internal ethical codes.
The institutional handling of the allegations against Arday drew severe condemnation from leadership within the United Kingdom. Cambridge chancellor Chris Smith characterized the media coverage and online campaigns surrounding the late professor as a racist feeding frenzy.
Reflections on Academic Conduct
As disciplinary proceedings advance in Belgium, university administrators have emphasized that the broader academic ecosystem must reevaluate how disputes and public controversies are handled. Ghent University’s leadership underscored that open academic debate cannot shield individuals from accountability when speech infringes upon the rights and dignity of others.
“The death of Professor Arday should prompt reflection. We hope that lessons will be learnt from what has happened regarding the way we treat one another both within and outside the academic world, particularly when people become the subject of public controversy.”
Petra De Sutter and Herwig Reynaert, Ghent University
