University of Minnesota Closes Antiracism Research Center Amid Plagiarism Scandal Involving Founder

The University of Minnesota has announced the closure of its Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity (CARHE). This decision comes shortly after its founding director, Rachel Hardeman, stepped down amid accusations of plagiarism.

In a statement, Dr. Tim Pettigrew from the School of Public Health emphasized their commitment to health equity. He acknowledged the center’s contributions and expressed a need for reflection on future priorities.

Rachel Hardeman is a well-known scholar in the field of structural racism and its impact on maternal health. In 2024, she was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people. However, her departure from the university this April raised concerns. Although she stated that her exit had been planned for about a year, it followed serious allegations about her work at CARHE.

Hardeman criticized the university’s support for the center. She stated, “The closure is not a reflection of CARHE’s work. It’s a reflection of the University’s failure to support antiracism work when it becomes inconvenient.” She believed CARHE was intended to bring about important changes in the system, which the university resisted.

In April, Hardeman was accused of copying parts of a dissertation from Brigette Davis, a former research scientist at CARHE. This incident reportedly occurred in 2019, but Hardeman was only informed about it in 2022. While several complaints were made, she has described the situation as a mistake.

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, issues surrounding racial equity remain crucial in today’s society. Over 65% of Americans think tackling structural racism is essential for improving health outcomes. This reinforces the need for ongoing dialogue and initiatives like CARHE.

These developments highlight challenges in academic institutions around supporting critical work in health equity. As universities strive to address systemic issues, the closure of CARHE may spark discussions on how to better protect and promote such important research.



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