Abortion advocate chosen as Notre Dame director withdraws after blowback

Published February 26, 2026 12:52pm ET



A professor of Asian studies at the University of Notre Dame has withdrawn from her appointment as the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies director after facing backlash for abortion-rights views and advocacy. 

Susan Ostermann, a researcher and professor at the Keough School of Global Affairs, said Thursday that she will no longer move forward as director due to mounting criticism of her views on abortion. Ostermann was slated to begin serving as director of the school of global affairs in July.

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