Ghent philosophy faculty challenged Cofnas's credentials and appointment months before his suspension

Ghent's philosophy department told university leaders in May 2026 that Nathan Cofnas had "only very limited expertise" in his postdoctoral role's core subjects and that staff suspected his hiring was "an ideological choice ... decided in advance." The 19-page statement preceded Cofnas's suspension — and the death of Jason Arday, whom Cofnas accused of plagiarism without formal proof.