'The safety of our students, faculty, and staff remains our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely'
A University of Alberta law professor, placed on non-disciplinary leave following social media comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, has been reinstated after a university review.
Following the Sept. 10, 2025 death of the conservative activist, the university “became aware of concerning online comments involving members of our community,” it said in a statement.
“A faculty member was placed on non-disciplinary leave while a review was conducted by the university’s safety and legal teams.”
That review has now concluded, and Florence Ashley has fully returned to their duties after it was determined there is no imminent risk associated with this incident, said the university.
“The safety of our students, faculty, and staff remains our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
However, Ashley, who uses they/them pronouns, told Canadian HR Reporter they were not informed of the university’s concerns until they were placed on non-disciplinary leave.
The professor further clarified that the university does not have a policy on social media posts, saying, “I am not sure they could have a meaningful one given contractual and governmental protections of academic freedom.”
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