Ghent University Mandates Telework for Professor Nathan Cofnas, Cancels Teaching Duties for Three Months

Ghent University (UGent) has imposed a three-month mandatory telework period on researcher Nathan Cofnas, during which he is prohibited from undertaking any teaching responsibilities. The university announced this decision on its website, following a period of international scrutiny regarding its handling of the controversial researcher.

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The UGent imposes mandatory telework on researcher Nathan Cofnas for a period of 3 months. During that period, he may not carry out any teaching activities.

This new measure comes after Cofnas was placed on preventive suspension on August 20. While that suspension has reportedly ended, Cofnas is not yet permitted to return to the university campus. The university has stated that his research activities must remain "strictly limited to the research themes for which the appointment took place." The UGent has not yet provided further clarification on the specifics of this measure to the press.

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The university announced on its website that Rector Petra De Sutter defended the university's approach in the Cofnas case after international criticism.

The case involves Cofnas, an American researcher described as a 'race realist,' who was preventively suspended after publishing an online article accusing Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism. This accusation led to an investigation by Cambridge University and Arday's subsequent resignation shortly before he was found deceased. Cofnas himself suggested his suspension might be politically motivated, given that it was issued by Rector Petra De Sutter, a figure associated with the Green party.

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All research activities that Cofnas carries out within the framework of his appointment at UGent must, according to the university, 'be strictly limited to the research themes for which the appointment took place.'

The university maintains that this is an "organizational measure" within an ongoing personnel matter and that a disciplinary investigation is proceeding to determine if further steps are warranted. Earlier, approximately 800 academics signed an open letter defending Cofnas's statements as academic freedom and urging UGent not to impose sanctions. Rector De Sutter has stated that UGent values academic freedom and criticized what she perceives as uninformed public commentary on the disciplinary case.

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They will almost certainly fire me.