Academic who raised plagiarism allegations against Jason Arday suspended by his university

Nathan Cofnas, the US academic who raised plagiarism allegations against the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday, said on Thursday that he had been suspended by Belgium’s Ghent University and placed under investigation for alleged discrimination.

Arday, who was once described as Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, was found dead in London at the age of 41 on Friday, just days after resigning from his position. He had denied the plagiarism accusations but admitted to making errors.

Cofnas announced his suspension on X, saying he had been removed from his duties by Ghent University and believed he was likely to be dismissed. Earlier, he said the university was investigating him over claims that he had discriminated against Arday.

Ghent University confirmed that Cofnas had been suspended as a precaution while a preliminary disciplinary investigation is conducted. The institution did not provide details about the allegations, citing confidentiality rules surrounding personnel and disciplinary proceedings.

Thousands of people attended a vigil in central London on Monday to honour Arday. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described his death as a tragedy and said it should prompt reflection.

Cofnas said in a Substack post on July 21 that a source at Cambridge University had approached him with allegations of plagiarism involving Arday. He said he would not disclose the source’s identity.

Cofnas had previously faced controversy during his own academic career. Cambridge’s Emmanuel College ended its association with him after students raised concerns about blog posts in which he argued that Black people would hold very few prominent positions outside sports and entertainment in a merit-based society. Cofnas has denied being racist and is involved in a legal dispute with the college.

The allegations against Arday received extensive media attention and prompted scrutiny of other aspects of his career and personal life, including claims he had made about his background and medical history.

Before his death, Arday repeatedly said the public criticism directed at him was affecting both him and his family. His family later said he had been subjected to misinformation and harassment.

Source: Reuters