Kmflett's Blog

Nathan Cofnas the promoter (although not the instigator) of the media pile on over the work of the late Professor Jason Arday will complete his one year assignment on the ‘future of liberalism’ at the University of Ghent and leave in March 2027.

What there is in Cofnas’s academic background to suggest he knows anything about the subject he is meant to be researching remains unclear. As hundreds of academics at the University of Ghent have pointed out his substack consists mainly of racist ramblings.

Cofnas had been suspended by the University but the intervention of the US Ambassador to Belgium the aptly named Bill White, a Trump fan, seems to have secured a reversal.

Frankly the less is heard from Cofnas the better. He should be left to research his subject and it will be interesting to see what he produces.

The University of Ghent have provided the following statement on its website (26th August 2026)

Remote work required, teaching duties suspended amid ongoing personnel case

As part of an ongoing personnel case, Ghent University has imposed a disciplinary measure on a member of its research staff for a period of three months. A preliminary inquiry is also under way to determine if further disciplinary action is warranted. Under the disciplinary measure, the staff member is required to work remotely and may not carry out any teaching activities. In addition, any research activities undertaken as part of the staff member’s appointment at Ghent University must be strictly limited to the research topics for which the appointment was made.

Ghent University does not wish to comment further on the controversy surrounding this matter. This is not because the University wishes to avoid public debate, but because ongoing preliminary disciplinary inquiries must be allowed to proceed calmly, independently and with full respect for the rights of all those involved. It would be inconsistent to safeguard the confidentiality of these procedures on the one hand while, on the other, commenting through the media in a way that could pre-empt the investigation, the positions of the parties involved or its possible outcome. All parties concerned will have the opportunity, through the appropriate procedures, to set out their position and exercise their right of defence.

Ghent University will therefore limit itself to confirming the disciplinary measure and the fact that investigations are ongoing, and will await their outcome. We expressly ask that the confidentiality of the proceedings be respected and that the matter be allowed to proceed in a calm and orderly manner.