Harvard University has taken the rare step of revoking tenure and terminating Francesca Gino, a prominent behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School, after an extensive investigation found she manipulated data in multiple studies on dishonesty. The decision marks the first time since the 1940s that Harvard has stripped a tenured professor of their position.
Gino, once celebrated for her research on ethical behavior, faced allegations that she falsified data in at least four papers published between 2012 and 2020. The controversy began in 2021 when the blog Data Colada identified irregularities in her work, prompting a comprehensive internal investigation by Harvard. The university’s 1,300-page report concluded that Gino “committed research misconduct intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.”
Following the investigation, Harvard placed Gino on unpaid administrative leave in 2023 and initiated termination procedures. Despite her denials and claims of possible data tampering by others, the university found no evidence supporting her defense. Gino subsequently filed a $25 million lawsuit against Harvard and others, alleging reputational and financial damage. However, a federal judge dismissed her defamation claims in 2024, ruling that her status as a public figure permitted critical scrutiny under the First Amendment.
Gino’s case has drawn widespread attention, not only because of the irony of a dishonesty researcher committing fraud but also due to the implications for academic integrity. Her work had garnered global influence, leading to collaborations with governments and Fortune 500 companies. The scandal has prompted calls for greater transparency and methodological rigor in academic research.
In a statement, Harvard emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of research integrity.
