A philosophy academic at Cambridge University has been cleared following an investigation into 58 formal complaints from students regarding his controversial writings about race.
The university's disciplinary body, which is separate from the learning institution itself, found that Dr Nathan Cofnas had not violated any institutional regulations.
The complaints centred on a blog post where Cofnas argued that in a merit-based system, black individuals would "disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment".
He also suggested that under such conditions, the number of black professors at Harvard would "approach zero".
The university determined these statements represented protected academic expression rather than discrimination or harassment.
Emmanuel College initially supported the academic's right to express his views when hired in 2022, citing legal protections for academic discourse.
However, the institution later terminated its association with Cofnas, declaring his blog incompatible with their fundamental principles.
The college stated that his writings constituted "a rejection of diversity, equality, and inclusion" and conflicted with their "core values and mission".
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Dr Nathan Cofnas has been cleared following an investigation into 58 formal complaints from students regarding his controversial writings about race
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This reversal occurred despite their earlier stance defending his academic freedoms.
Dr Cofnas describes his perspective as "race realism" and promotes what he terms a "hereditarian revolution" against "DEI" initiatives.
He advocates maintaining "racial distinctions" and ending what he calls the "war on nature", arguing that "talent is not distributed equally within or across groups".
The university's investigation examined whether Dr Cofnas's statements might have fostered discrimination against black academics and students or created a racially hostile campus environment.
Dr Cofnas is a philosophy academic at Cambridge University
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Legal experts and communications specialists reviewed the blog's content comprehensively.
Investigators determined that whilst students "undoubtedly experienced distress and upset after reading the blog", their objections centred on the concepts presented rather than discriminatory conduct.
The inquiry concluded his blog constituted permissible academic discourse and "represented lawful free speech".
Dr Cofnas has initiated legal proceedings against Emmanuel College with backing from the Free Speech Union.
He maintains the college lacked authority to terminate his position and seeks to establish protections for academics expressing "politically incorrect views about race".
Dr Cofnas has initiated legal proceedings against Emmanuel College with backing from the Free Speech Union
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During the dispute, the college organised a public forum to address concerns about Dr Cofnas's employment.
Simon Woolley, Homerton College's principal and the first black male leader of an Oxbridge institution, denounced Cofnas's ideas as "abhorrent racism masquerading as pseudo intellect", declaring: "There is no place for bigots in institutions like this."
Professor Bhaskar Vira, Cambridge's pro-vice-chancellor for education, told a philosophy faculty gathering that Dr Cofnas had "crossed a line" regarding free expression boundaries.
Following the university's decision, Dr Cofnas said: "I am pleased to have been exonerated by the university's investigation."
He confirmed his lawsuit against Emmanuel College continues, alleging "belief discrimination" in their termination of his position.