Additional Coverage:
In an unprecedented move, Harvard University has revoked the tenure of a Harvard Business School professor, Francesca Gino, amidst allegations of research data falsification. This marks the first time in the institution’s history that a professor has lost tenure since protections were established in 1940.
Professor Gino, previously known for her work on ethical research standards, was placed on administrative leave. A Harvard spokesperson declined to provide further details.
The tenure revocation follows accusations of fraud in four research papers co-authored by Gino, initially brought to light by the investigative blog Data Colada in 2021. One paper was retracted shortly after the allegations surfaced. A subsequent Harvard Business School investigation in 2022 concluded Gino had committed academic misconduct, resulting in her being placed on unpaid leave.
During the ongoing investigation, Gino filed a $25 million lawsuit against Harvard, the Harvard Business School Dean, and the Data Colada bloggers, citing defamation and breach of contract. While the defamation suit was dismissed in 2024, the breach of contract claim proceeded.
In September 2023, Gino publicly proclaimed her innocence in a statement on her website, asserting that the available information was “incomplete and misleading” and that she had been unfairly targeted. This unfolding situation has created tension between the university and Professor Gino, who maintains she has been wrongly accused.
The implications of this unprecedented tenure revocation are likely to be felt throughout the academic community. This story continues to develop.