The Spark of Controversy at Ghent University

Ghent University, one of Belgium's leading institutions and a prominent player in European higher education, has found itself at the center of a heated debate following the recent appointment of American philosopher Nathan Cofnas as a temporary postdoctoral researcher. The hiring, announced in early March 2026, has ignited protests from faculty, students, and deans who argue that Cofnas's views on race and intelligence clash with the university's ethical standards. This incident highlights ongoing tensions in academia between academic freedom and institutional commitments to inclusivity and anti-discrimination.

The Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, where Cofnas will contribute to a project led by Professor Bouke de Vries on addressing non-liberal citizens in liberal societies, approved the position based on Cofnas's publication record and expertise. However, the decision quickly drew scrutiny after investigative outlet Apache.be reported it on March 5, 2026, prompting widespread backlash within the university community.

Who is Nathan Cofnas and What Are His Views?

Nathan Cofnas is a philosopher specializing in the philosophy of biology and science, with a focus on controversial topics like group differences in intelligence. He self-identifies as a 'race realist,' a term referring to the belief that observable differences in traits such as intelligence quotient (IQ) between racial or ethnic groups have a significant genetic basis, rather than being solely environmental. Cofnas has argued in publications and blog posts that in a true meritocracy—defined as selection purely on ability—demographic representation in high-profile positions would shift dramatically. For instance, he referenced a 2013 Harvard study suggesting that under strict merit-based admissions using grades and test scores, Black undergraduates would comprise only 0.7% of the student body.

His work has included a 2020 paper in Philosophical Psychology defending research on race and IQ, which led to the resignation of the journal's editor, Cees van Leeuwen, in protest. Cofnas has also engaged in debates on Jewish overrepresentation in elite positions, attributing it to cultural factors rather than conspiracy theories—a stance critics label as anti-Semitic undertones. Additionally, he has critiqued diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and suggested revisiting eugenic ideas scientifically. Supporters view these as bold inquiries into taboo subjects backed by data, while detractors call them pseudoscience promoting racial hierarchies.

Previous Controversies: From Cambridge to Ghent

Cofnas's academic path has been marked by prior clashes. As a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow at the University of Cambridge from 2022 to 2025, a 2024 blog post on meritocracy drew 58 complaints from students accusing him of racism. Emmanuel College ended its association, but an internal investigation cleared him of legal or free speech violations, deeming his views 'offensive' but protected. Cofnas is currently suing the college for belief discrimination.

This history resurfaced with the Ghent hire, with critics questioning why a European university would platform someone with such a record. The move from Cambridge—a top global philosophy hub—to Ghent underscores how these debates transcend borders, raising questions about international academic mobility and vetting processes in EU institutions.

The Protests Erupt: Faculty, Students, and Petitions

By March 11, 2026, 48 members of Ghent's philosophy department—over 70% of active staff—sent an email to Rector Petra De Sutter and the Board of Directors, questioning if Cofnas's statements violate the university's ethics code, which prohibits spreading ideas of racial superiority or hatred. Three deans, two former deans, and over 300 staff and students followed with concerns.

An open letter from 45 philosophers accused Cofnas of 'racist pseudoscience,' stating: 'What Cofnas and his supporters call “racial realism” is the idea that we must face the supposed reality that white people are simply superior to Black people.' A Change.org petition to halt the hiring garnered over 885 signatures, echoing Cambridge students' intolerance for 'blatant racism.' Protests have trended on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit's r/UGent and r/belgium communities.View the petition

• Key arguments: Pseudoscientific claims undermine scholarship; ethical breach harms campus climate.
• Numbers: 48 faculty email; 45-letter core; 300+ total concerned; 885+ petition sigs.

University Response: Monitoring and Debate

Rector De Sutter, a Green Party politician, responded empathetically: 'I understand the outrage... The statements are hurtful and disturbing. They affect me too... We will continue to monitor the recruitment process.' She affirmed the hiring followed standard procedures—promoter decision, HR review—and stressed universities must foster debate: 'Dissenting opinions are allowed... It is up to experts to test ideas.' No dismissal is planned, positioning Ghent as defending academic freedom.

This stance aligns with EU emphases on free inquiry but tests Belgium's balance with anti-hate laws. De Sutter's comments, via De Morgen, signal ongoing vigilance without preemptive action.

Defenses Rally Around Academic Freedom

Countering protests, over 120 academics—including Peter Singer (Princeton), Steven Pinker (Harvard), and Journal of Controversial Ideas editors—signed a letter: 'Academics must put forward controversial claims without fear of losing employment... Disagreements should be settled through free inquiry.' They commended De Sutter and urged debate over cancellation.Read the defense letter

Cofnas replied to critics, clarifying quotes and noting no intelligence research expertise among petitioners. Supporters argue expertise-based hiring trumps views, preventing 'cancel culture' in philosophy.

Bouke de Vries: The Project Supervisor Under Scrutiny

Prof. Bouke de Vries, a Dutch philosopher at Ghent, selected Cofnas for his project. De Vries has faced criticism for speaking at a 'secret conference of race scientists' in 2025. Defenders highlight his publications in top journals as justification. This adds layers: Is the hire ideological or merit-driven?

Broader Implications for European Higher Education

This case echoes European debates: Cambridge 2024, Dutch unis on colonial legacies, German free speech laws vs. hate speech. In Belgium, UGent's code limits expression if promoting superiority. Stats: EU philosophy depts report rising DEI pressures (2025 Erasmus+ survey: 40% self-censor). Protests risk chilling effects, per defenders; critics say unchecked views harm marginalized students (Ghent diversity: 15% non-EU).

Similar: 2025 Oxford eugenics seminar backlash; 2026 Amsterdam IQ researcher petition (dismissed).

Stakeholder Perspectives: A Divided Academy

• Critics: 'Racism legitimized via academia' (op-ed); harms trust, especially post-#MeToo/#BLM.
• Supporters: 'Most dangerous idea: no wrong ideas in inquiry' (Maarten Boudry Substack).
• Neutrals: Monitor output, not views (De Sutter).

Student groups demand action; alumni defend freedom. Social media amplifies: #FireCofnas vs. #AcademicFreedomUGent.

Future Outlook: Monitoring, Lawsuits, and Policy Shifts?

De Sutter's monitoring may involve ethics review. Cofnas's Cambridge suit could set precedent. For Europe: Push for clearer hiring guidelines balancing freedom/ethics. Ghent's resolution could model constructive debate.Detailed analysis on Daily Nous

Philosophy hiring may emphasize 'fit' beyond CVs, amid EU's 2026 Academic Freedom Charter.

Photo by Dana Andreea Gheorghe on Unsplash

Lessons for University Hiring in Europe

1. Transparent vetting: Public CVs/views pre-hire.
2. Ethics training: Define boundaries.
3. Debate forums: Preempt protests.
4. DEI vs. freedom: Policy clarity.

This saga reinforces: Europe's unis must navigate polarization, prioritizing rigor while fostering safety.