Woodcock hosted an online petition urging "every country in the world" to "make war on Israel immediately." UK then launched an investigation into the petition last July, banning Woodcock from teaching while the probe was underway.
The professor then filed his own lawsuit in September, arguing the move violated his free speech and due process rights. A federal judge recently paused Woodcock's case until the investigation was complete.
But the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals says that decision was premature, arguing UK's investigation is "not an ongoing state proceeding" that would require courts to abstain. The appeals ruling opens the door for Woodcock's case to be considered right now.
UK spokesman Jay Blanton has said he's "disappointed" with the ruling, adding the university of considering next steps.