Nathan Cofnas accuses Jason Arday of plagiarism and says intelligence differs by race

Nathan Cofnas, a scholar known for his work on academic integrity, has publicly accused fellow academic Jason Arday of plagiarism. Cofnas’s allegation, which surfaced in a series of online posts and a formal complaint to Arday’s institution, claims that portions of Arday’s recent publications closely mirror material previously authored by other researchers without proper attribution. The claim has prompted the university’s ethics committee to initiate a review of the materials in question, while both parties have declined to comment further pending the outcome of the investigation.

In addition to the plagiarism dispute, Cofnas has expressed the view that intelligence differs across racial groups, a position that has drawn criticism from scholars and civil‑rights organizations. Critics argue that the statement aligns with discredited theories of racial hierarchy, whereas Cofnas maintains that his perspective is grounded in his interpretation of existing research. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions within academia over both scholarly conduct and the politicization of scientific claims.