An American academic who has expressed controversial views about racial differences in intelligence has been made an early career fellow in the University’s Philosophy faculty.

In 2019 Nathan Cofnas became embroiled in controversy over an article he wrote, in which he argued that genetic differences in IQ could exist between racial and ethnic groups. In the article Cofnas also said that since “truth is intrinsically valuable”, it is scientists’ duty to uncover it even when controversial.

His appointment has faced criticism, with one philosophy student telling Varsity: “It’s crazy that someone who’s published such obviously questionable work has been given not only a platform but a Fellow position. It’s obviously disappointing but not surprising.”

In his piece, Cofnas argued that while “significant cultural changes” would be inevitable if the racial differences theory was widely accepted, the negative consequences it might trigger are not a valid reason to avoid further research.

He compared hypothetical racial differences in intelligence to gender-based differences, arguing “virtually everyone believes in physical and psychological differences between men and women, and essentialize these differences”, but that didn’t stop “men in the West from supporting women’s rights, and didn’t prevent great progress towards the end”.

The article sparked academic backlash, with a group of scholars rejecting his claims as pseudoscience in a published response.

On 24 June 2020, the editor of the journal which published Cofnas’ piece resigned during the controversy, implying that the response article was the reason why.

Cofnas has stood by his arguments, claiming that those attacking his article have not read it. In an April 2020 interview with the Daily Campus, he stated that he didn’t “understand how certain ideas become taboo, and [he doesn’t] think anyone does”.