AI Summary

Nathan Cofnas, an American postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University, has been allowed to keep his research position but barred from teaching on campus for three months. He must work remotely, and his research is restricted to the topics specified in his appointment.

Main points

Disciplinary action: Ghent University imposed a three-month measure requiring Cofnas to work remotely and prohibiting him from teaching. A further disciplinary inquiry is still underway.

Why he was suspended: Cofnas was initially suspended after the death of Cambridge sociologist Jason Arday, whom Cofnas had publicly accused of plagiarism and questioned aspects of his biography. Arday died on 14 August.

US ambassador's intervention: US ambassador to Belgium Bill White strongly criticized Cofnas's suspension and publicly claimed that his intervention helped resolve the dispute and allowed Cofnas to finish his one-year appointment.

University's position: Ghent confirmed it had communicated with White but emphasized that its investigation remains independent and ongoing.

Controversy over Cofnas's appointment: Ghent's philosophy department had previously raised concerns about Cofnas's qualifications and alleged that he had a far-right agenda.

Political views: Cofnas has written controversially about race and has been accused of promoting pseudoscientific ideas about racial differences. At the same time, he has criticized Trump and some MAGA policies, particularly tariffs, while supporting other Trump policies such as those concerning free speech.

Cofnas's response: He thanked both Ghent rector Petra De Sutter and Ambassador White for allowing him to remain at the university and described the outcome as a “just outcome.”

Bottom line

Cofnas has not been fully reinstated: he can continue limited research remotely, but cannot teach on campus for three months, and the university has not ruled out further disciplinary action.