University of Florida launches formal investigation after reports of pressure to destroy Covid-19 research data

Authored by edition.cnn.com and submitted by BitterFuture
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(CNN) A formal investigation has been launched by the University of Florida after an internal report detailed a culture of fear among faculty members claiming political influence on campus as well as instances of pressure to destroy and delay publication of Covid-19 research data.

Vice President of UF Research David Norton announced the investigation in an email to faculty and staff Friday morning, according to the university. The email indicates the results of the investigation will be made public upon completion, but did not give a timeline.

"UF Research became aware of possible violations of the UF Policy on Research Integrity," Norton wrote in an email, saying the possible violation relates "to the reported destruction of COVID-19 research data at UF."

Asked if the university was aware of actual destruction of data, the school said the investigation would be looking into that.

The allegations were detailed in the Faculty Senate report , released Monday.

torpedoguy on December 13rd, 2021 at 07:27 UTC »

The same University of Florida that threatened professors against speaking? In other words, the investigation will be into who dared "snitch" to the media, not 'who may have listened and scrapped data'.

DaveDearborn on December 13rd, 2021 at 04:34 UTC »

Destroying the data sounds insane.

bartlet62 on December 13rd, 2021 at 03:24 UTC »

"Governor Ron DeSantis does not interfere with the internal matters of UF, which this is. Nobody from our office has told UF professors to refrain from criticizing any state policies," said spokesperson Christina Pushaw

Uh huh, that's why the University is doing an investigation into interference by your office, because nothing happened