Ghent University announces measures against researcher who incited shaming of late professor

The University of Ghent has announced it is taking "appropriate measures" against a postdoctoral researcher, Nathan Cofnas, who is accused of inciting a public shaming of the late Professor Jason Arday. Arday, a former professor at Cambridge University, was found dead in his London home earlier this month, with accusations of plagiarism surrounding his work.

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The university takes the recent public statements made by a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University on this matter very seriously.

The university stated it takes the "recent public statements made by a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University on this matter very seriously." While the specific actions remain undisclosed, the university's rector, Petra De Sutter, and vice-rector, Herwig Reynaert, expressed their "consternation" over Arday's death, noting its profound impact on the academic community.

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We are deeply dismayed by the death of Professor Arday. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and students.

Cofnas himself claimed on social media that he had been suspended by the university and was "almost certainly" going to be fired. He identified Rector Petra De Sutter, a former leader of the Green Party, as the decision-maker. Cofnas has previously made controversial statements questioning the intellectual capabilities of Black individuals and had promoted accusations against Arday's academic output, pointing to alleged similarities between Arday's doctoral thesis and earlier works by other authors.

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Almost certainly I will be fired. The decision was made by Rector Petra De Sutter, a former leader of the Green Party.

The University of Ghent acknowledged the "questions and concerns" surrounding the situation, recognizing its impact on many. The institution reiterated its "consternation" over Arday's passing and extended its condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and students. It also affirmed its commitment to human dignity, opposition to discrimination, hatred, and racism, and its support for academic freedom and open debate, even for controversial opinions. However, the university clarified that this freedom is not unlimited and can be restricted to protect others' rights, emphasizing the need for transparency and confidentiality in personnel matters.

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Academic freedom is not unlimited; it entails responsibility and can be restricted to protect the rights of others.