Walker had previously been put on leave by the university after the book's release, which calls for a new model for society addressing pedophiles.
The university and Walker issued a joint statement on the university's website saying: "Today, Old Dominion University and Dr. Allyn Walker are announcing that Dr. Walker has decided to step down from their position as assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at the expiration of their current contract in May 2022. Dr. Walker will remain on leave until that time."
Walker's book, Long Dark Shadow: Minor Attracted People and their Pursuit of Dignity, further supports sex dolls resembling children, suggesting that this could keep "minor-attracted persons," or "MAPS", as they refer to them, from executing their fantasies out on real children.
WATCH TRUMP: EUROPE HAS OPENED IT'S DOORS TO JIHAD
"A lot of people when they hear the word pedophile, they automatically assume that means sex offender. That isn't true. And it leads to a lot of misconceptions," wrote Walker in the book.
More than 15,000 people signed a request which began online, demanding the university fire Walker in the wake of the book's launch.
WATCH DUKE PROFESSOR: STUDENTS VIEWING THE WORLD AS OPPRESSOR VS. OPPRESSED
The assistant professor, who is transgender and practices the pronouns they/them, will stay on leave until their contract expires in May next year.
The university had been facing calls to fire Walker after the educator made a comment earlier this month while discussing their research in an interview with the Prostasia Foundation, a San Francisco-based child protection organization.
KEVIN SPACEY'S DARK SECRETS EXPOSED IN NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Walker insisted it was important to use the term "minor-attracted persons" instead of "pedophile" because it's less stigmatizing.
IDIOT ALERT: CEO PRAISES RADICAL PROTESTERS, FACES IMMEDIATE BACKLASH
Critics, though, claimed that Walker's terminology destigmatized sex offenders.
An online petition calling for Walker's removal had gained more than 14,000 signatures as of Wednesday.
In the statement announcing Walker's resignation, the assistant professor insisted the research was intended to prevent child sexual abuse and better understand would-be sex offenders.
BIDEN AND MARK HAMILL'S "STAR WARS DAY" VIDEO: A GALACTIC SUCCESS OR EPIC FAIL?
"That research was mischaracterized by some in the media and online, partly on the basis of my trans identity," Walker said. "As a result, multiple threats were made against me and the campus community generally."
The university's president, Brian O. Hemphill described Walker stepping down as the "best way to move forward."
TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK: HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED IN CALIFORNIA, ARE YOU AT RISK?
But they said that labeling anyone wholly by their sexual desires doesn't indicate anything about their morality.
"From my perspective, there is no morality or immorality attached to attraction to anyone because no one can control who they're attracted to at all," Walker said.
ELITE UNIVERSITIES FACE A NEW CRISIS: OUTRAGED PARENTS
"In other words, it's not who we're attracted to that's either OK or not OK. It's our behaviors in responding to that attraction that are either OK or not OK."
Walker said child sex abuse is "never, ever OK," but that having sexual urges toward children isn't illegal — as long as those sensual attractions aren't acted upon.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
