Nathan Cofnas, a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Cambridge University, specializes in the philosophy of biology and ethics, with a keen focus on evolution-informed social science and methodological challenges at the intersection of science and philosophy. Earlier this year, his college, Emmanuel College, dismissed him following the publication of a controversial article on IQ differences among races. This response marks a contrast to the college's previous tolerance when he published an article suggesting that right-wing individuals tend to have lower IQs than their left-wing counterparts.
This action has sparked questions about the college’s commitment to free speech, particularly in light of Cambridge University’s 2020 vote on free speech, which decisively rejected proposed guidelines requiring that opinions remain “respectful” of others’ views and identities. That vote reflected a concern that such guidelines could unduly restrict freedom of expression for staff, students, and visiting speakers.
The incident involving Cofnas’s dismissal underscores potential ideological leanings within Emmanuel College’s administration, raising concerns about selective freedom of expression based on political alignment.
Join us on Monday, November 4th, for an engaging talk by Nathan Cofnas on “Woke Academia and the Threats to Academic Freedom”, where he will discuss the current state of free discourse in academic institutions and the broader implications for scholarly independence.
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Nathan Cofnas- Woke Academia
Nathan Cofnas- Woke Academia
Newman Purple, Peter Chalk Centre
Exeter