Overview

• Mann announced Monday that he is leaving the vice provost post for climate science, policy, and action, but will remain a professor and continue to lead the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media.
• In a blog post, he cited a conflict between the nonpartisan expectations of the administrative role and his public scholarship, including a forthcoming book with vaccine scientist Peter Hotez.
• The University of Pennsylvania said it will continue its climate work and will name a successor for the vice provost position.
• The announcement followed public criticism of Mann’s social-media posts about Charlie Kirk after Kirk was shot while speaking at a Utah university, including calls for action from Sen. David McCormick.
• UPenn Provost John Jackson said Mann was not fired or driven out, and Mann told the Philadelphia Inquirer the decision to step down was his.