Oriel College at the University of Oxford is facing calls to cancel an event featuring Nathan Cofnas, organised by student supporters of Reform UK. The discussion, titled “An evening with Nathan Cofnas: Is DEI undermining higher education?”, is scheduled to take place in the college’s Harris lecture theatre on 17 November.
The event was arranged by Oxon Universities’ Reform Society, a student group established this year to support Reform UK. An open letter signed by Oxford campaign groups, British academics, members of the public and alumni urges the college to withdraw its facilities. The signatories argue the event could create a hostile environment, particularly for ethnic-minority students, and undermine the college’s educational role.
Cofnas, a blogger and academic, previously made unproven plagiarism allegations against Jason Arday and questioned claims about his biography. Arday, 41, was found dead in August after resigning from his professorship at the University of Cambridge. His case received intense media attention. The open letter says Cofnas’s blogging played a significant part in the coverage Arday faced and accuses him of using his platform to promote discriminatory beliefs.
Kehinde Andrews, author and the UK’s first professor of Black studies, described the event as “despicable and disgusting” in an online post. Days before Arday’s death, Andrews had told the Guardian that Arday was facing what he called a “dedicated, coordinated smear campaign from the right”.
Oriel College said it was committed both to lawful freedom of speech, including the expression of views many consider offensive, and to inclusion and an environment free from discrimination and harassment. It said events organised by committee members of registered societies are considered under its freedom-of-speech code, and that allowing an event does not mean the college endorses its speakers’ views. The college added that it considers security and the safety of its members when reviewing bookings.
The Reform Society said Cofnas and the organisers had faced online hostility. It also argued that, as a registered University of Oxford society, it was entitled to hold events at constituent colleges. The group said it intended to host Cofnas and allow attendees to engage in respectful dialogue, adding that responsibility for the decision rested with its committee. Cofnas was approached for comment.
Sources: The Guardian Education.