University suspends academic who raised plagiarism allegations against Cambridge professor

Ghent University in Belgium suspended a researcher in August 2024 after he accused a Cambridge professor of plagiarism. Nathan Cofnas, a postdoctoral researcher, contacted Cambridge in July with concerns about the work of professor Jason Arday, who died on 14 August. The university said its investigation is about discrimination allegations against Cofnas, not the plagiarism claims. Liverpool John Moores University, where Arday completed his PhD, reviewed his work and found no plagiarism. Cambridge had passed the complaints there for review. Some academics said they believed plagiarism had occurred, while others defended Arday's record. Cofnas has described himself as a "race realist" and has publicly criticised diversity and inclusion policies.