A petition has been launched protesting the appointment of Nathan Cofnas as a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, calling for his termination at the University and his de-funding by the Leverhulme Trust.

Cofnas took up the position in Cambridge’s Philosophy Faculty this September.

Cofnas has been the subject of much press attention over a 2019 article in which he claimed there are “gaps” in IQ between different racial groups. This appointment drew fresh scrutiny.

The article sparked academic backlash on its publication, with a group of scholars rejecting his claims as “pseudoscience” in a published response. Cofnas recently told MailOnline that he stands by these views, and that the University knew about them when he was awarded the fellowship. He argues for the value of pursuing this controversial research, despite the “cultural changes” it might trigger.

Students have expressed disappointment and anger at the University over appointment to the three-year fellowship. The petition has been created in response, and highlights the 2019 article as well as a string of recent controversial tweets.

The petition also points to the Leverhulme Trust page, which declares that the Trust is committed to funding research on the legacy of colonialism, racism and other forms of injustices. The petition states that it is “incredibly concerning that an institution which is committed to such a cause would offer 36 months of funding to a proponent of scientific racism”.

The petition labels his appointment as “problematic” and “intellectually disingenuous and morally reprehensible”, and calls for Cofnas’ funding from the Leverhulme Trust, as well as his affiliation with the University, to be terminated.

It also calls for the University and the Faculty of Philosophy to make a commitment that it will no longer support academics who try to justify scientific racism or discrimination of any kind. It also demanded a commitment from the Faculty and the Leverhulme Trust to fund scholarships in the fields of critical race theory, gender studies and non-western philosophy.

“We are sure there are countless other researchers besides Nathan Cofnas that are more deserving of Leverhulme Trust funding, and who are actually contributing meaningful knowledge production that betters our world”, the petition ends.