Oxford anti-racist groups have come together in response to Oxford University’s Reform Society inviting self-defined “race realist” Nathan Cofnas to speak on racial diversity in education.
The evening called ‘Is DEI Undermining Higher Education?’ has received backlash from anti-racist groups nationwide for platforming Cofnas, the first to claim plagiarism in Cambridge professor Dr Jason Arday’s work which lead to his suicide at 41 years old in August 2026.
Cofnas referred to Arday as “a black person who seems to be, in this case, literally mentally disabled,” and detailed on his Substack the plagiarism allegations that led to Arday becoming heavily scrutinised by the media, and resigning from his position at Cambridge University. Arday’s work was ultimately cleared of intentional academic fraud charges.
“A mass, united protest outside [Oriel College] will show that Oxford’s students, workers and communities reject racism dressed up as scholarship,” says Oxford Stand Up To Racism in an Instagram post announcing the demonstration for the 17th of November.
Black Lives Matter UK also spoke out on Instagram, sharing that “Oxford may abandon its black students and staff, but we will not.” Their petition to cancel Cofnas’ visit has gained over 28,000 signatures within its first week, including signatures from MPs like Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana.
“I think it’s really good to show people that most people hate that kind of racism and we’re not just going to be afraid.” Said Tadhg, a member of the Socialist Worker’s Society at Oxford’s Unite Against the Far Right march in October. The group will also be joining the demonstration at Oriel College. “We’re going to come together.”