University of California at Los Angeles: Non-Reappointment of Controversial Professor

In 2010, the University of California, Los Angeles, refused to reappoint an environmental health sciences professor, Dr. James Enstrom, stating that his controversial research failed to accord with the department’s “mission.” Enstrom had engaged in successful whistleblowing against a prominent member of the department, and there had been many years of debate between Enstrom and some of his colleagues over research on air pollution. After FIRE intervened, Enstrom was given a reprieve while his appeals continued. Enstrom, assisted by the American Center for Law and Justice, filed a lawsuit against UCLA in June 2012. In March 2015, UCLA settled with Enstrom, agreeing to pay $140,000 and effectively rescinding his termination.