The Law, such as it is How you know when a process has too many lawyers
Sep 18, 2025
Francesca Gino, a behavioral scientist and former Harvard Business School professor, shares her gripping tale after allegations of academic misconduct led to her tenure revocation. She discusses the intense investigation process, including gag orders and a surprising shift in the university's evidence. Gino reveals the isolation she felt amidst strict confidentiality rules and describes the high-pressure hearing experience. Lastly, they analyze procedural failures and the emotional toll of the dismissal, seeking accountability and reform within institutional processes.
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Premature Determination Doomed Defense
- HBS determined guilt using a forensic report before Francesca could hire her own analysts.
- That early determination locked Harvard into defending a flawed foundation and shaped everything that followed.
Offer To Buy Silence
- Harvard offered money for Francesca to resign and not fight the charges.
- She refused the payout and chose to contest the allegations instead.
High Burden For Revoking Tenure
- The hearing required clear and convincing evidence of grave misconduct, a high standard.
- The podcast argues the available evidence likely fails even the lower preponderance standard.