Dr. Karen J. Leader, an art history professor at Florida Atlantic University, spent roughly two months on paid administrative leave after being accused of “making comments” about the shooting of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In reality, Leader had reposted content not celebrated or encouraged violence.
Leader’s leave began Saturday, Sept. 13. During that period, she said she was doxxed online and received death threats, turning what began as a university personnel matter into an alarming, personal safety situation.
The university lifted Leader’s leave on Tuesday, Nov. 18, after an internal review determined her posts were protected speech.
A university report concluded that “Leader’s posts are protected speech under the First Amendment and FAU policy,” and added that there was “no evidence that Leader… disrupted university operations.”
In an interview with OutFAU, Leader said she felt “grateful” to be back on campus, especially with her students, while also urging the university to improve how it responds when online campaigns spill into the classroom.
“I am grateful beyond words to be back with students. Being abruptly pulled from 3 classes was traumatizing for them and me,” said Leader. “This disruption was entirely the fault of bad-faith actors fomenting violence online, combined with poor administrative decisions at the presidential level at FAU. For the sake of our university mission, we must do better.”
Looking ahead to Spring 2026, Leader said she plans to focus on the intersection of free speech and political violence, particularly how online incentives can escalate conflict. She said she has already given public presentations on the role of algorithms and “profit motives” in amplifying controversy, arguing that what drives “virality” can also intensify threats and intimidation.
“I am pursuing a better understanding of the relationship between free speech and political violence,” she said. “I have given several public presentations so far about how algorithms and profit motives drove the actions of those using "Charlie Kirk" as a way to juice engagement, knowing that "virality" also stokes violence. It is mob politics on steroids, using terror to stifle speech. It is death to democracy.”
Leader also said she hopes to offer nonpartisan voter education to campus groups and classes, and encouraged students and organizations to invite her to speak.
“I will also be visiting classes, clubs, anyone who asks, to offer non-partisan voter education: ‘Everything You Need to Know About Registering and Voting,’” she said.
Dr. Karen J. Leader can be reached at
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