Anil Kishen has voluntarily stepped down as dean of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry following an investigation that found he used antisemitic imagery in a February lecture, though he will remain at the university as a tenured faculty member, the school confirmed.
Trevor Young, the university’s vice president and provost, announced the resignation in a November 5 letter to faculty members, according to The Times of Israel. The investigation concluded that Kishen did not intend to promote antisemitism and had limited knowledge of the historical tropes when he included the images in his materials. The university nonetheless confirmed the slides contained antisemitic imagery.
Images showed bound figure and hooked-nose caricature
Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith Canada shared the lecture materials on social media in February, CBC reported. One image depicted a figure with a face painted in Palestinian flag colors, its torso wrapped in an Israeli flag and its body bound with rope, placed beside text asking whether “strangulation theory” occurs in dental pulp. A second image showed a man with a hooked nose swimming in a pool of money labeled “immunity.”
Antisemitism and antizionism have permeated into all corners of academia in this country. We are living in a Canada where a senior academic, the dean of a dental faculty, feels emboldened enough to sabotage a lecture on strangulation theory and dental pulp with vitriolic and… pic.twitter.com/JTbMU1L1xf
Faculty reactions split over apology
The investigation found the Faculty of Dentistry divided in its response. “Some community members accepted Dr. Kishen’s immediate apology, while others were deeply hurt by the use of the images,” Young wrote, according to both outlets. Young added that Kishen recognized many community members had lost confidence in his ability to lead the faculty.
Kishen completed training and will return in 2027-28
Kishen has undergone training on antisemitism and will return to full duties in the 2027-28 academic year, CBC reported. Acting dean Laura Tam will continue in her role while the university searches for a permanent replacement. Kishen had gone on leave earlier this year during the investigation.
Frequently asked questions
What specific images did Kishen use?
B’nai Brith Canada identified two images: one of a bound figure wrapped in an Israeli flag with a Palestinian-flag-colored face, and another of a hooked-nose man swimming in money marked “immunity,” both shown during a lecture on strangulation theory and dental pulp.
Why did Kishen step down if the investigation cleared him of intent?
Young’s letter cited Kishen’s recognition that his use of the images caused pain and that community members had lost confidence in his leadership, prompting his voluntary resignation as dean while he remains tenured faculty.
Who is leading the faculty now?
Laura Tam serves as acting dean while the University of Toronto conducts a search for a new head of the Faculty of Dentistry.
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