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While world leaders who resign in disgrace typically retreat from public life to write memoirs or embark on PR redemption tours, Britain’s scandal-plagued former prime minister, Boris Johnson, appears to have chosen a different path: guest lecturing at the University of Miami (UM).
On January 15, the private university in Coral Gables announced that Johnson would join the campus as a guest lecturer in political science, teaching Special Topics in Public Administration, Policy, and Law, a three-credit master’s level course co-taught with Casey Klofstad and Joseph Uscinski, professors of political science in the College of Arts and Sciences. The course is described as “a seminar in public policy, administration, and law; designed to give the student a greater insight and knowledge of a particular subject and to develop skills in individual research, group discussion, and analysis.”
Johnson’s mid-January visit was reportedly the first of four planned for the spring semester.
“From meeting with student leaders on campus at lunch, to office hours sessions, teaching in class, and many selfie requests along the way, Boris’ first days on campus were busy!” UM’s College of Arts and Sciences wrote in an Instagram post.
The post featured a handful of photos showing Johnson and his famously tousled white hair throwing up the “U” sign across campus and speaking with students. More than 100 people have since commented on the post, most criticizing the university’s decision to hire him.
“Didn’t know we had a class in being so bad at your job your colleagues turn on you and make you resign,” one person griped.
“This post perfectly illustrates why this university struggles to be taken seriously as an academic institution. The hiring bar is truly on the floor,” another commented.
“Tf going on in Miami bruh,” a third wrote.
A university spokesperson did not respond to New Times‘ questions, including inquiries about why Johnson was selected to co-teach this course, who initiated and approved the decision, and whether the university considered his political record, controversies, and resignation as prime minister of the United Kingdom.
Even before becoming the UK’s prime minister, Johnson was a controversial figure. As mayor of London, he led the successful campaign that resulted in the UK voting to leave the European Union in 2016, also known as Brexit. His tenure as prime minister, which began in 2019, was marked by several scandals, most notably “Partygate,” in which he was fined for attending lockdown-breaking parties.
In 2022, Johnson resigned after multiple high-profile cabinet members stepped down in protest over his handling of misconduct allegations involving government officials.
