Academic who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism suspended by university

Nathan Cofnas, a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University's department of philosophy and moral sciences, has been suspended from his position following accusations of plagiarism against the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday. Cofnas, who identifies as a "race realist" and believes that genetics play a significant role in intelligence differences among racial groups, alleged that Arday's work contained passages copied with minimal editing.

The university's rector and vice-rector, in response to Arday's death, stated that they had received information about Cofnas's allegations and had initiated a preliminary disciplinary investigation, suspending Cofnas as a precaution. The university emphasized its commitment to academic freedom, open debate, and responsibility, but noted that freedom can be restricted to protect others' rights.

Cofnas's suspension comes amid a plagiarism row and questions about Arday's achievements, which led to his resignation from Cambridge the week before his death.