Ghent University Lifts Suspension of Postdoc

Nathan Cofnas, an American postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University in Belgium, will not be fired. He announced the decision on the social media platform X on Thursday.

Cofnas had been placed on administrative leave for about a week. The university was investigating whether he discriminated against the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday and whether his academic work was inconsistent with his employment contract. During his suspension, more than 930 academics worldwide signed an open letter urging Ghent University not to punish him.

"I am grateful to Rector Petra De Sutter for allowing me to stay at Ghent University," Cofnas wrote. He stated he looks forward to continuing his work on the project titled 'The Future of Liberalism' for 60% of his working time for the remainder of his one-year postdoctoral appointment.

U.S. Ambassador's Intervention

U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White publicly condemned the suspension last week. He noted that the Trump administration would review any relationships with Ghent University. According to a report by Politico, the university currently has two ongoing grants from the U.S. Department of Defense worth a combined $869,000.

Ambassador White also posted on X about the university's decision to lift the suspension. "After speaking with all parties, I am pleased to see that Ghent University and Nathan Cofnas have amicably reached an agreement," he wrote. He added that he looks forward to working with Rector Petra De Sutter to continue the relationship between the university and the United States.

Cofnas thanked the Ambassador in his own post. "It was beyond my imagination that such a person would take an interest in the fate of a postdoc," he wrote. He credited the Ambassador's support with helping to bring about what he called a just outcome.

Disciplinary Case Remains Open

Despite the lifted suspension, Ghent University stated that the disciplinary case against Cofnas is ongoing. The university confirmed it had been in contact with the U.S. Ambassador, who provided further context for his public statements.

On an information page about the investigation, the university said it informed the Ambassador about the preliminary disciplinary inquiry, the confidentiality of the procedure, and the measures taken. The institution's statement did not provide a timeline for resolving the ongoing case.