Penn State on Mann: Further Inquiry Warranted

From Penn State press release 2/3/10

"In looking at four possible allegations of research misconduct, the committee determined that further investigation is warranted for one of those allegations. The recommended investigation will focus on determining if Mann "engaged in, directly or indirectly, any actions that seriously deviated from accepted practices within the academic community for proposing, conducting or reporting research or other scholarly activities."

 From the Report:



       The allegation inquires about whether Dr. Mann seriously deviated from accepted

        practices within the academic community for proposing, conducting, or reporting

        research or other scholarly activities. In 2006, similar questions were asked about Dr.

         Mann and these questions motivated the National Academy of Sciences to undertake an

         in depth investigation of his research. The committee that wrote the report on surface

        temperature reconstructions found that Dr. Mann’s science did fall well within the

        bounds of accepted practice. What has changed since that time is that private emails have

         come to our attention and that of the public at large, and these give us a glimpse into the

        behind the scenes workings of Dr. Mann and many of his colleagues in the conduct of

        their science.



         Decision 4. Given that information emerged in the form of the emails purloined from

         CRU in November 2009, which have raised questions in the public’s mind about Dr.

         Mann’s conduct of his research activity, given that this may be undermining confidence

         in his findings as a scientist, and given that it may be undermining public trust in science

         in general and climate science specifically, the inquiry committee believes an

         investigatory   committee of faculty peers from diverse fields should be constituted under

         RA-10 to further consider this allegation.



         In sum, the overriding sentiment of this committee, which is composed of University

         administrators, is that allegation #4 revolves around the question of accepted faculty

         conduct surrounding scientific discourse and thus merits a review by a committee of

         faculty scientists. Only with such a review will the academic community and other

         interested parties likely feel that Penn State has discharged it responsibility on this

         matter.



An investigatory committee of faculty members with impeccable credentials will consider this

matter and present its findings and recommendations to Dr. Henry C. Foley within 120 days of

being charged. The committee will consist of the following five faculty members:



         1.      Dr. Mary Jane Irwin, Evan Pugh Professor, Department of Computer Science and

                 Electrical Engineering;

         2.      Dr. Alan Walker, Evan Pugh Professor, Department of Anthropology and

                 Department of Biology;

         3.      Dr. A. Welford Castleman, Evan Pugh Professor, Department of Chemistry and

                 Department of Physic;

         4.      Dr. Nina G. Jablonski, Head, Department of Anthropology; and

         5.      Dr. Sarah M. Assmann, Waller Professor, Department of Biology.



Ms. Candice Yekel, as Director of the Office for Research Protections and as the University’s

Research Integrity Officer, will provide administrative support and assistance to the committee.



The investigatory committee's charge will be to consider what are the bounds of accepted

practice in this instance and whether or not Dr. Mann did indeed engage in, or participate in,

directly or indirectly, any actions that seriously deviated from accepted practices within the 

academic community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research or other scholarly

activities.