American academic Nathan Cofnas has been suspended by Ghent University in Belgium while the institution conducts a preliminary disciplinary investigation into his public statements about the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday.
Ghent University subsequently confirmed that he had been suspended as a precautionary measure while the disciplinary process takes place, according to Reuters report.
Cambridge later said it had begun an investigation following new information about Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments. The university also said separate complaints concerning academic misconduct remained subject to its existing research -misconduct procedures. The university stressed that the process needed to be thorough and fair and said it would not comment further while the investigation was ongoing. Ghent University said it opposes discrimination, hatred and racism while also emphasizing its commitment to academic freedom and open debate.
The university has not disclosed the precise statements that prompted the investigation and has not made any finding that Cofnas committed discrimination or other misconduct.
