Ghent University suspends researcher Nathan Cofnas

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Ghent University suspended postdoctoral researcher Nathan Cofnas, who stated he expects to be fired following a directive from rector Petra De Sutter. The disciplinary action followed Cofnas’s July publication of a Substack analysis alleging plagiarism in the 2015 PhD thesis of the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday. While Arday acknowledged citation errors and denied intentional misconduct prior to his death on August 14, Ghent University cited Cofnas's recent public statements on the case as the basis for taking action. Cofnas had previously faced internal criticism at the university regarding his views on hereditarianism.

Consequences

Cofnas faces the likely termination of his employment at Ghent University as the institution moves forward with its personnel process. The investigation into the original plagiarism allegations may remain subject to further scrutiny following the university's decision to treat the matter with formal seriousness.

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