Calls to cancel Oxford talk by Arday plagiarism accuser

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 12:29 · Archive

Oriel College at Oxford University is facing calls to cancel a talk by Nathan Cofnas, who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism.

Oriel College at Oxford University faces significant backlash over its decision to host Dr Nathan Cofnas at an event on diversity, equality and inclusion in higher education. Dozens of celebrities and academics have published an open letter calling for the event to be cancelled, with support from Oxford Stand Up to Racism and Black Lives Matter UK.

Cofnas accused former Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism in his doctoral thesis. Liverpool John Moores University stated that Arday's doctorate should stand. A subsequent investigation by scientific publisher Taylor & Francis acquitted Arday of plagiarism. Arday, the youngest ever black professor at Cambridge, was found dead at his home in south London earlier this year after facing intense scrutiny over the plagiarism accusations. An inquest into his death is ongoing.

Cofnas describes himself as a 'race realist' and has previously argued that genes play a role in average IQ differences between racial groups, a claim rejected by mainstream media. The free talk is titled 'An Evening with Nathan Cofnas: Is DEI Undermining Higher Education?'

How it is being reported

• Dozens call for Oxford University college to cancel Jason Arday accuser talkCelebrities and activists have signed an open letter calling for Oriel College to cancel a talk from Nathan Cofnas, who accused Arday of plagiarism.Oxford Mail · 30 Oct, 11:52
• Dozens call for Oxford University college to cancel Jason Arday accuser talkCelebrities and activists have signed an open letter calling for Oriel College to cancel a talk from Nathan Cofnas, who accused Arday of plagiarism.Oxfordshire Guardian · 30 Oct, 11:52

In this story: Jason Arday · Nathan Cofnas · Oriel College · Cambridge University · Oxford University · Liverpool John Moores University · Oxford

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