Academic Who Raised Jason Arday Plagiarism Concerns Suspended By Grent University

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Academic Nathan Cofnas, who publicly raised concerns about plagiarism allegations involving late Cambridge professor Jason Arday, says Ghent University in Belgium has suspended him.

Cofnas announced the development on Thursday in a post on X, claiming that the university had suspended him and suggesting that his position could eventually be terminated.

“Ghent University has suspended me, and they will almost certainly fire me,” Cofnas wrote.

The university had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting, and the reason for Cofnas’ suspension remains unclear.

Cofnas had previously drawn public attention to allegations concerning Arday’s academic work, contributing to the scrutiny surrounding the late professor’s career.

Arday, who was described as Cambridge University’s youngest Black professor, was found dead last Friday after weeks of public attention over allegations relating to his academic record.

He had denied deliberately plagiarising material while acknowledging that errors had occurred in some of his academic work.

Following his death, the controversy surrounding his career and the allegations against him attracted renewed public attention.

However, there is currently no indication that Ghent University has linked Cofnas’ suspension to his comments or allegations concerning Arday.

It also remains unclear whether the university plans to terminate Cofnas’ employment.