Skip to content

University of Austin and transgender people

The University of Austin (UATX) is an unaccredited “anti-woke” private school in Austin, Texas. Many prominent anti-trans activists are involved in the organization.

Background

The University of Austin was conceived in May 2021 by Joe Lonsdale, Pano Kanelos, Niall Ferguson, and Bari Weiss. A number of people who were announced as advisors and faculty resigned when they realized the project was a reactionary movement rather than a legitimate experiment in academic freedom. By November 2023, UATX had reportedly raised $200 million from 2,600 donors including major donors Harlan Crow and Bill Ackman.

On April 2, 2025, Board chair Joe Lonsdale convened a closed staff meeting that became a flashpoint in rising tensions over governance and mission. Michael Lind resigned on the spot, then withdrew it after Niall Ferguson intervened. In summer 2025, a wave of departures among senior staff and advisers began as internal clashes intensified, including Mike Shires, Jonathan Haidt, Larry Summers, Nadine Strossen, Jonathan Rauch, In all about 20 executives left, including the provost, the lead fundraiser, and the executive director of admissions. In October 2025, Founding president Pano Kanelos exited amid the turmoil.

In November 2025, UATX announced a $100 million donation meant to support tuition-free operations and kick off a larger $300 million campaign.

People

Advisors, faculty, fellows, and guest speakers include:

  • Jason Calacanis
  • Tyler Cowen
  • Ted Cruz
  • Pano Kanelos
  • Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
  • Jeff Yass ($100 million donation)

References

Mandery, Evan (January 16, 2026). They Wanted a University Without Cancel Culture. Then Dissenters Were Ousted. Inside the civil war at the anti-woke university backed by Bari Weiss. Politico https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/01/16/civil-war-university-of-austin-bari-weiss-00729688

Howerton, Gwen (December 18, 2025). Faculty are leaving Austin’s anti-woke university over ideological differences. Houston Chronicle https://www.chron.com/culture/article/university-of-austin-staff-exodus-21248040.php

Gluckman, Neil (December 16, 2025). At the U. of Austin, a Raft of Departures Leaves More Questions Than Answers. Chronicle of Higher Education https://www.chronicle.com/article/at-the-u-of-austin-a-raft-of-departures-leaves-more-questions-than-answers

Priest, Jessica (November. 5, 2025). Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuition. The Texas Tribune https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/05/university-austin-jeff-yass-donation-free-tuition/

Yass, Jeff (November 6, 2025). I’m Betting $100 Million on a New University. The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/im-betting-100-million-on-a-new-university

Kepner, Lily (September 23, 2025). ‘Welcome to the rebellion’: University of Austin begins its 2nd year. Austin American-Statesman https://www.statesman.com/news/education/article/uatx-university-austin-rebel-second-year-21049552.php

Dutton, Christa (June 10, 2025). One Year In, What Has ‘the Anti-Harvard’ University Accomplished? Chronicle of Higher Education https://www.chronicle.com/article/one-year-in-what-has-the-anti-harvard-university-accomplished

Avishai, Ellie (May 16, 2025). Is the University Of Austin Betraying Its Founding Principles? Created as a haven for free thinkers, UATX was the last place where I’d expected to encounter ideological litmus tests. Quillette https://quillette.com/2025/05/16/is-the-university-of-austin-betraying-its-founding-principles/

Kanelos, Pano (November 8, 2021). We Can’t Wait for Universities to Fix Themselves. So We’re Starting a New One. The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/we-cant-wait-for-universities-to

Media

University of Austin with Ted Cruz (November 18, 2025). Sen. Ted Cruz on the Genius of America’s Founders & How to Be More Like Them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4rHjbxbaVU

University of Austin with Greg Abbott (October 18, 2025). Gov. Greg Abbott at UATX: “If We Teach Our Kids Everything Except Conscience, We’ve Failed.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2yhsQzXACs

University of Austin with Michael Shellenberger (August 11, 2025). Michael Shellenberger on the Rise of the Counter-Elite (Ep. 5). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5_RJUdm8Xk

University of Austin with Bill Ackman and Niall Ferguson (May 21, 2025). Bill Ackman in Conversation with Niall Ferguson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56gCSl-uPdc

University of Austin with Dave Rubin & Jason Calacanis (May 18, 2025). Dave Rubin & Jason Calacanis: Success & Truth-Seeking in the Age of AI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2N4WIK9lwY

University of Austin with Bridget Phetasy (May 15, 2025). Bridget Phetasy: The Work Will Teach You How to Do It. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY9b0CCiYV8

University of Austin with Niall Ferguson (May 11, 2025). Niall Ferguson: Why UATX is the Anti-Harvard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJHA1tyvmtE

University of Austin with Rod Dreher (Apr 27, 2025). Another Warning to the West: Rod Dreher Discusses His New Totalitarianism Documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wiHW6JCa_I

University of Austin with Gad Saad (Feb 3, 2025). Unpacking Human Nature | Professor Gad Saad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRBId26q0BU

University of Austin with Wilfred Reilly (Nov 14, 2024). The Extraordinary Disconnect Between Reality and Polite Conventions | Professor Wilfred Reilly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxUdyYgVn_8

University of Austin with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Nadine Strossen (March 21, 2024). Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. addresses the University of Austin on Civil Discourse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxleIaZsqFw

University of Austin with Niall Ferguson (January 2, 2024). UATX Professors: Meet Founder, Trustee, and Professor Niall Ferguson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYUMeLikZQI

University of Austin with Michael Shellenberger (December 28, 2023). UATX Professors: Meet Michael Shellenberger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuvtu2Z5Rcg

University of Austin with Kathleen Stock (September 28, 2023). Kathleen Stock: Feminism Between the Right and the Left. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xLuEVLwun0

University of Austin with Seth Dillon (July 14, 2023). Seth Dillon: In An Age of Absurdity, We Need More Mockery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJBsKpaED1c

University of Austin with Michael Shellenberger (June 28, 2023). Michael Shellenberger’s Guide to Escaping the Woke Matrix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey7iWsDYnJ8

University of Austin with Kathleen Stock and Deirdre McCloskey (March 6, 2023). Stock & McCloskey Discuss Groundbreaking Forbidden Courses Debate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ux945iefJk

University of Austin with Kathleen Stock and Deirdre McCloskey (March 6, 2023). Stock & McCloskey Debate Issues of Sex, Gender, & Identity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gDIBinDN-o

University of Austin with Kathleen Stock (November 2, 2022). Kathleen Stock’s UATX Summer Course Highlights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XW2rbpNVZ8

Resources

University of Austin (uaustin.org)

  • Board of Advisors
  • uaustin.org/our-people?duty=board+of+advisors
  • original url uaustin.org/board-of-advisors [archive]
  • Faculty Fellows
  • https://www.uaustin.org/our-people?duty=Faculty
  • original url uaustin.org/faculty-fellows [archive]

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Substack (substack.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)