Conservative professor sues UT-Austin, claims officials retaliated against him

The University of Texas at Austin faces a lawsuit accusing the administration of stifling academic freedom, threatening professors and limiting free speech.

The lawsuit was filed Feb. 8 by Richard Lowery, a conservative finance professor at UT Austin.

Lowery alleges that his job, salary, research opportunities and academic privileges have been threatened as a result of his outspokenness on social media and via email. The firebrand professor is a frequent critic of critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs.