Tulane Scientist Resigns Citing University Censorship of Pollution and Racial Disparity Research
- Kimberly Terrell, who led public outreach for Tulane’s Environmental Law Clinic, stepped down on Wednesday, accusing university officials of suppressing her research and limiting academic freedom.
- Terrell alleged that the university imposed a complete gag order barring public statements about her research to appease state officials and secure funding for a $650 million hospital redevelopment.
- Her research revealed significant racial and health inequalities in Louisiana's petrochemical region, showing that Black communities are subjected to drastically higher levels of toxic air pollutants while receiving fewer industry employment opportunities despite comparable training.
- Tulane and Governor Landry both denied any threats to cut funding, while university officials indicated that elected representatives and donors saw the clinic's activities as a barrier to gaining their backing for the redevelopment efforts.
- Terrell filed a formal complaint on May 12 claiming violation of academic freedom, highlighting tensions between scholarship and political and financial pressures at Tulane.
77 Articles
77 Articles
Tulane university under fire over law clinic researcher resignation
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — News of former Tulane University researcher Dr. Kimberly Terrell's resignation is causing an uproar, putting pressure on President Michael Fitts. "Instead of standing up for the law clinic, and instead of standing up for the research, he has decided to cave. We encourage him to be part of us, part of the team in this country and on this campus that is standing for democracy," said Founding Director of the Louisiana Bucket Br…

Tulane scientist resigns, citing ‘gag order’ on environmental justice research
Tulane Public RelationsEnvironmental advocates are questioning the actions of a private university in Louisiana following the resignation of a scientist who researches the health and job disparities in a heavily industrialized part of Louisiana known as “Cancer Alley.” Kimberly Terrell, who served as a director of community engagement and a staff scientist with Tulane University’s Environmental Law Clinic, accused university leaders of trying to…
Tulane Environmentalist Resigns Amid Research “Gag Order”
Kimberly Terrell, director of community engagement at the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, alleges that university officials told her not to publicly discuss her research after someone at the state capitol cited it as evidence that Tulane is “anti–chemical industry.” An environmental researcher at Tulane University resigned Wednesday after accusing campus officials, reportedly under pressure from Gov. Jeff Landry, of issuing a “gag order” that p…
Law School Banned Clinic From Talking About Studies That Made Governor Sad - Above the Law
Kimberly Terrell resigned from her role as director of community engagement at Tulane’s Environmental Law Clinic after law school administrators slapped a gag order on the clinic doing any “engaging” of the “community” over its work. The Environmental Law Clinic represents numerous residents of Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” a long stretch of riverside communities suffering from industries using the Mississippi River as a toxic dumping ground for d…
Tulane environmental researcher quits, accuses university of placing her under 'gag order'
A Tulane University researcher and environmental advocate who studied racial disparities in health impacts from Louisiana’s petrochemical industry resigned on Wednesday, citing censorship from university leaders who believed her work had made elected officials “embarrassed and uncomfortable.”
Tulane researcher resigns, cites censorship over studies
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Tulane researcher Kimberly Terrell resigns over alleged gag order Claims university silenced work exposing petrochemical health risks Emails show donor and political pressure tied to university projects Terrell’s studies linked pollution to health and racial inequities A Tulane University researcher resigned Wednesday, citing censorship from university leaders who had warned that her advocacy and research exposing the Louisi…
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