Academic suspended over plagiarism accusation
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Ghent University suspended Nathan Cofnas, who accused late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism. The suspension follows Arday's death and a vigil attended by over 30,000 people.
Background
Jason Arday, a 41-year-old Black professor at Cambridge, resigned this month after plagiarism allegations made by Nathan Cofnas, a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University. The allegations were not proven in any formal investigation. Arday was found dead last week, prompting widespread mourning and a vigil in London. Ghent University launched a preliminary disciplinary investigation and suspended Cofnas as a precautionary measure, citing that academic freedom is 'not unlimited'.
How it unfolded
- 2024Nathan Cofnas was sacked from Cambridge University's Emmanuel College over his views on race, which included controversial blog posts.
- Aug 2026Jason Arday resigned from Cambridge after plagiarism accusations made by Cofnas.
- Aug 2026Arday was found dead, leading to a vigil in Trafalgar Square attended by over 30,000 people.
- Aug 20, 2026Ghent University suspended Cofnas as a precautionary measure pending a preliminary disciplinary investigation, saying it was assessing whether to refer the case to a disciplinary body.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Ghent University stated it 'opposes discrimination, hatred and racism' and that academic freedom is 'not unlimited', while suspending Cofnas pending investigation.
- Accused
- Nathan Cofnas posted on X that he was 'under investigation by my university for discriminating against Arday' and that they 'will almost certainly fire me'.
Still unverified
The plagiarism allegations against Arday were not proven in any formal investigation. Cofnas's suspension is a precautionary measure pending investigation; the specific reasons for the suspension have not been detailed.