In a startling development, Joan Donovan, a prominent disinformation scholar, has lodged serious accusations against Harvard University, claiming her dismissal was a bid to appease Facebook, potentially infringing on her right to free speech, reported Washington Post. Donovan, who served as the research director of Harvard Kennedy School projects focusing on misinformation, alleges her termination was connected to Harvard’s record $500 million pledge from Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg‘s charitable initiative.
Donovan’s substantial contributions to projects investigating misinformation on social media platforms, backed by millions in grants, congressional testimonies, and media appearances, came to an abrupt end when the school reportedly wound down her primary project and subsequently eliminated her position. Fellow researchers expressed alarm, viewing Donovan as a pioneer in a crucial field concerning powerful tech giants.
The disinformation scholar, breaking her silence, attributes her dismissal to her involvement with the Facebook Papers—explosive documents revealing Meta’s awareness of real-world harms associated with its platforms. Donovan contends that Harvard’s decision-makers, under the influence of Meta/Facebook, compromised academic freedom and prioritized the interests of the tech giant.
Harvard refutes Donovan’s core claims, asserting that she was a staff employee and lacked a faculty sponsor for her work. The university denies her firing, stating she was offered a part-time adjunct lecturer role, which she declined. Harvard argues that donors have no influence on research projects, challenging Donovan’s allegations of inappropriate influence by Meta/Facebook.
The filing raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from Big Tech’s influence on research institutions. Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard Law School professor, challenges the university’s stance on academic freedom, emphasizing the need for protections when conducting academic work.
Donovan’s case comes amid a broader trend of increased scrutiny on researchers focusing on social media platforms. Her filing seeks an investigation by the federal Education Department’s civil rights division into potential violations of her free speech and academic freedom. Massachusetts‘s charity regulators are urged to examine whether Harvard deceived donors or misappropriated funds.
As Donovan moves forward in her academic career with a tenure-track position at Boston University, her case underscores the complex relationships between academia, major tech players, and the imperative of maintaining academic freedom in critical research areas.
Donovan’s substantial contributions to projects investigating misinformation on social media platforms, backed by millions in grants, congressional testimonies, and media appearances, came to an abrupt end when the school reportedly wound down her primary project and subsequently eliminated her position. Fellow researchers expressed alarm, viewing Donovan as a pioneer in a crucial field concerning powerful tech giants.
The disinformation scholar, breaking her silence, attributes her dismissal to her involvement with the Facebook Papers—explosive documents revealing Meta’s awareness of real-world harms associated with its platforms. Donovan contends that Harvard’s decision-makers, under the influence of Meta/Facebook, compromised academic freedom and prioritized the interests of the tech giant.
Harvard refutes Donovan’s core claims, asserting that she was a staff employee and lacked a faculty sponsor for her work. The university denies her firing, stating she was offered a part-time adjunct lecturer role, which she declined. Harvard argues that donors have no influence on research projects, challenging Donovan’s allegations of inappropriate influence by Meta/Facebook.
The filing raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from Big Tech’s influence on research institutions. Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard Law School professor, challenges the university’s stance on academic freedom, emphasizing the need for protections when conducting academic work.
Donovan’s case comes amid a broader trend of increased scrutiny on researchers focusing on social media platforms. Her filing seeks an investigation by the federal Education Department’s civil rights division into potential violations of her free speech and academic freedom. Massachusetts‘s charity regulators are urged to examine whether Harvard deceived donors or misappropriated funds.
As Donovan moves forward in her academic career with a tenure-track position at Boston University, her case underscores the complex relationships between academia, major tech players, and the imperative of maintaining academic freedom in critical research areas.
