Academic plagiarism critic suspended

Academic plagiarism critic suspended

BRUSSELS: Ghent University in Belgium has suspended American academic Nathan Cofnas, who was among the scholars who raised questions about the academic work and achievements of former Cambridge University professor Jason Arday.

According to a foreign news agency, the university said Cofnas would remain suspended as a precaution while an initial disciplinary investigation is completed. The institution did not provide further details about the specific reasons behind the suspension.

Cofnas, an American academic at Ghent University, had been among those who publicly questioned aspects of Arday’s academic record and accused him of plagiarism. The allegations became a subject of wider academic discussion, while Arday had denied claims that he had engaged in plagiarism.

Ghent University is also investigating allegations of discriminatory conduct involving Cofnas. The university has not disclosed the full nature of the allegations or indicated when the disciplinary process is expected to conclude.

The development comes days after Arday, a former professor at the University of Cambridge, was found dead in London last Friday at the age of 41. Before his death, Arday had rejected allegations of plagiarism and disputed the claims made against his academic work.

The university’s decision to suspend Cofnas does not, by itself, establish any wrongdoing. Further findings will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.