A professor at Newcastle University is being investigated over alleged racist material on his social media account.
Dr Paolo Missier is a professor in scalable data analytics with the school of computing at the university.
A probe has now been launched by the university after the professor shared an allegedly racist post from another user on his Facebook profile on April 6.
The image in question is of crowded balconies at a block of flats with Dr Missier sharing it and posting the caption 'Stay at home, Indian style...'.
Newcastle University has confirmed that the alleged racist Facebook post forms part of an ongoing investigation.
Dr Missier joined Newcastle University in 2011 after obtaining his PhD in computer science at the University of Manchester in 2007.
A Newcastle University spokeswoman said: "At Newcastle University we deplore racism of any kind and such behaviour goes against our principles which emphasise treating others with respect.
"The allegations concerning this Facebook post form part of an ongoing investigation.
"As such, we cannot comment any further."
ChronicleLive has attempted to contact Dr Missier for comment but has yet to receive a response.
