Comparing the Plagiarism Cases of Claudine Gay and Neri Oxman – My MBA Career

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

MIT professor Neri Oxman, renowned for her groundbreaking research and innovation in the field of design, has recently come under scrutiny for instances of plagiarism in her 2010 doctoral dissertation. The esteemed professor, who happens to be married to hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, has publicly acknowledged her mistakes and issued a heartfelt apology for her actions.

Ackman, known for his activism in the financial sector and outspoken stance against plagiarism, surprisingly came to his wife’s defense, characterizing her errors as “honest mistakes” rather than intentional acts of intellectual theft. This stands in stark contrast to his previous outrage over former Harvard president Claudine Gay’s similar plagiarism scandal.

Upon closer examination, experts have noticed striking resemblances in the plagiarism instances of both Gay and Oxman. Both individuals included direct passages from other academics in their works without utilizing quotation marks, although the sources were duly cited in the bibliography. It is these similarities that have sparked comparisons between the two cases.

In the aftermath of the allegations, Harvard’s board conducted an investigation into Gay’s actions and ultimately cleared her of any “research misconduct.” However, she did take the initiative to issue necessary corrections to her papers, aiming to rectify the inadvertent errors.

Oxman, on the other hand, has expressed remorse for her actions and intends to request the required corrections from MIT. This desire to rectify her mistakes aligns with both her dedication to academic integrity and her commitment to maintaining the highest standards within her profession.

Critics have not only scrutinized the instances of plagiarism but have also highlighted the poor writing habits displayed by both Oxman and Gay. These habits, it is argued, have led to citation inadequacies and the inadvertent inclusion of others’ work without proper attribution.

These cases serve as a reminder to scholars and researchers alike about the importance of citing sources accurately and avoiding plagiarism by correctly attributing ideas and utilizing quotation marks. The academic community should take this opportunity to reflect on the significance of upholding integrity and ethics in all aspects of their work.