Harvard University revoked the tenure of Professor Francesca Gino, a renowned expert in ethics and decision-making, due to allegations of research misconduct involving data falsification. This action marks the first tenure revocation at Harvard in over 80 years.
The allegations of data falsification against Gino surfaced in 2021, with researchers from Data Colada presenting evidence to Harvard. An 18-month internal investigation ensued, concluding with a finding of research misconduct.
Gino denies the allegations, claiming the investigation was unfair and that she never engaged in academic fraud. She filed a $25 million lawsuit against Harvard and Data Colada, though defamation charges were dismissed. The lawsuit continues with claims that Harvard breached its contract by violating tenure policies.
The revocation of Gino's tenure is unprecedented at Harvard, highlighting the severity of the findings and the institution's commitment to academic integrity. The case also raises questions about research practices, investigations into misconduct, and the impact on individual careers.
Harvard University revoked the tenure of Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino after years of data fraud allegations, a university spokesperson confirmed.
Gino, widely known for researching honesty and ethical behavior, was placed on administrative leave in 2023 after multiple allegations of falsifying data surfaced.
A spokesperson for Harvard provided no additional details, noting that it does not discuss personnel matters. Gino also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
No professors are known to have lost their tenure at Harvard since the 1940s, when the American Association of University Professors formalized rules of termination, according to The Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper.
Gino started working at Harvard Business School in 2010 as an associate professor of business administration, according to her extensive résumé, updated in June 2023. From 2018 to 2021, she was the head of the Negotiations, Organizations and Markets Unit.
Gino’s research has been widely featured in the media, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and NBC News.
In 2021, three professors and behavioral researchers with a blog site, Data Colada, began examining a number of studies Gino co-authored over a decade and shared evidence they believed proved fraudulent data with the business school.
According to a 2023 blog post in which the researchers posted their evidence, the rest of their interactions with the university after they shared their 2021 report were confidential.
Gino was placed on unpaid administrative leave in June 2023 after an 18-month internal investigation found she was responsible for "research misconduct," according to a $25 million lawsuit Gino filed against Harvard and Data Colada. She lost her titled professorship and was removed from all teaching and research duties, the suit read.
The suit claimed the investigation was conducted in adherence with a new employment policy that was created just for her.
A federal judge dismissed the defamation allegations of Gino's suit in September but allowed claims that Harvard breached its contract with Gino by disciplining her in ways that violated its own tenure policies, the Crimson reported.
Gino launched a website dedicated to the lawsuit, with the last update in March 2024 reading: "Harvard shared their case. And while my lawyers have discouraged me from speaking out, I just need to say that I did not — ever — engage in academic fraud.
"Once I have the opportunity to prove this in the court of law, with the support of experts I was denied through Harvard’s investigation process, you’ll see why their case is so weak and that these are bogus allegations," the statement continued.
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