Activists protest against appointment American ‘race realist’ at Ghent University
On Friday, around sixty activists gathered at the UFO building of Ghent University, where the university’s board of directors is meeting. They were protesting against the appointment of Nathan Cofnas, an American philosopher who researches so-called “racial realism”.
According to the activists, Cofnas’s work is pseudoscientific and incompatible with the university’s values. They point to his views on alleged genetic differences in intelligence between population groups, which they claim amount to racist theories. The students believe that he should therefore not be given a position at Ghent University.
Cofnas’ appointment is on the agenda of the board of directors on Friday. The rectorate, led by rector Petra De Sutter, had previously given the green light for the appointment, as the university maintains that the applicable procedures were correctly followed.
Rector De Sutter previously emphasised that the freedom of academic research is important. “Dissident opinions are allowed to exist. It is primarily up to experts and fellow researchers to test, criticise and challenge ideas,” she stated in a press release. “We draw the line when groups or individuals are deliberately attacked,” she added during a speech last week.
"Dissident opinions are allowed to exist"
The activists on the other hand argue that the procedures fall short if they allow researchers holding such views to be appointed. They are calling for a review of the recruitment rules.
It is unlikely that the appointment will ultimately be revoked, although the matter will be discussed on Friday evening. A two-thirds majority of the board members decided this at the start of the meeting.
#FlandersNewsService | The Ghent University logo © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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