Oxford University faces protests over Nathan Cofnas lecture

Oxford University’s Oriel College is preparing for a planned lecture by academic Nathan Cofnas titled ‘Is DEI Undermining Higher Education?’. The event, organized by the Oxford Reform UK society, has drawn opposition from the local branch of Stand Up to Racism, which has declared Cofnas ‘not welcome on campus’ and threatened protests.

Cofnas gained significant controversy after publishing allegations that the late Professor Jason Arday, formerly Cambridge University’s youngest Black professor, had committed plagiarism in his doctoral thesis. Arday resigned from Cambridge in August following intense public scrutiny related to these claims and passed away shortly thereafter in London. An inquest into Arday’s death is currently underway.

Cofnas, who has previously advocated for ‘race realism’ and faced suspension from Ghent University in Belgium, defended his actions against accusations of conducting a ‘racist witch hunt’. Lord Young of Acton, founder of the Free Speech Union, has supported Cofnas, arguing that disagreement with views should be met with debate rather than attempts to silence speakers.