Academics defend Cambridge 'race row' professor's right to free speech

Academics have defended the right to free speech for a Cambridge University professor embroiled in a ‘race row’ after a string of controversial remarks sparked a backlash with attempts to remove him from the university.

Philosophy researcher Nathan Cofnas is facing expulsion from Emmanuel College and is under investigation by the Faculty of Philosophy and the Leverhulme Trust, which provided him with a research grant.

Mr Cofnas came under fire in February after he published a blog post which claimed the number of black professors at Harvard would ‘approach zero’ in a meritocracy, and that ‘Blacks would disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment.’

He also dismissed equality between people of different ethnicities as a ‘thesis’ that is ‘based on lies’.

Academics have defended the right to free speech for Cambridge University professor Nathan Cofnas embroiled in a ‘race row’ after a string of controversial remarks sparked a backlash with attempts to remove him from the university

Mr Cofnas came under fire in February after he published a blog post which claimed the number of black professors at Harvard would ‘approach zero’ in a meritocracy, and that ‘Blacks would disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment’

Lord Woolley of Woodford, on of the few black heads of an Oxbridge College, previously accused Mr Cofnas of ‘abhorrent racism, masquerading as pseudo-intellect’.

The college’s decision followed the philosopher stepping down from all student-facing duties, which included teaching and marking examinations, amid strengthening backlash from students and staff.

Mr Cofnas, who describes himself as a ‘race-realist’, was understood to have been informed of the college’s decision by letter on April 5, which stated his posts were in violation of its diversity and inclusion policies.

But now leading academics have written a letter to The Times in his defence, saying they were ‘dismayed to learn’ that Mr Cofnas is due to be expelled.

They said that ‘Cambridge University’s initial response [of not expelling Mr Cofnas] seems to us to have been completely correct’.

The letter quoted pro-vice-chancellor for education Professor Bhaskar Vira, who said: ‘Freedom of speech within the law is a right that sits at the heart of the University of Cambridge. We encourage our community to challenge ideas they disagree with and engage in rigorous debate.’

The letter said that ‘those who disagree with Dr Cofnas’s views could issue statements repudiating those views and explaining why they believe them to be mistaken.’

The academics then urged Emanuel to reverse the decision and for the faculty and Leverhulme Trust to ‘call off their investigations’.

The letter added that signing it does not indicate endorsement of his views.

It has been signed by four Oxford academics, two from Cambridge, two from King’s College London, one from Chicago, one from Milan, an academic from Harvard and one from Princeton.

Emmanuel’s Master Mr Chalmers had initially backed Mr Cofnas’ right to freedom of speech, but the college soon launched an investigation, alongside other probes by the University and the Leverhulme Trust, which provided him with a research grant.

Fellows and students alike have criticised Mr Cofnas’ continued employment. Dr Bronwen Everill, Director of the University’s centre of African studies, previously said his employment is ‘like having a flat earther on the physics faculty – it’s embarrassing’.

Emmanuel College previously cut all ties with philosophy researcher Nathan Cofnas following his controversial comments on race

Lord Simon Woolley, the first black man to ever head a Cambridge College, said the right to free speech does not extend to ‘abhorrent racism’ (Pictured: Lord Woolley outside Homerton College)

In a statement, the Trust previously said it had launched an ‘urgent’ investigation, continuing: ‘The grant provided was not for research into the relationship between race and IQ.

‘The views expressed in the blog are in no way those of the Leverhulme Trust. We are very clear that racism of any and all forms is abhorrent.’

The Faculty of Philosophy, previously told MailOnline Mr Cofnas’ words ‘do not represent the views of the Faculty’ and that ‘there is no place for racism at the University of Cambridge’.

Professor Angela Breitenbach, Chair of the Faculty, previously said: ‘The views expressed in these blogs do not represent the views of the Faculty of Philosophy.

‘The Faculty strives to be a leader in defending equality and fostering inclusion. There is no place for racism at the University of Cambridge.’

She told The Times yesterday: ‘The university is fully committed to academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law.

‘We are considering the concerns that have been raised in relation to Dr Cofnas’s blog under our existing processes. These processes are by their nature confidential so we will not be commenting further.’

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