Embattled Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino is facing a new wave of accusations after being accused of multiple counts of plagiarism in an analysis published in Science Magazine. The claims of plagiarism add to existing allegations of data misconduct against her, sparking further scrutiny on the integrity of scholarly work produced by Harvard professors and affiliates.
The investigation, conducted by Erinn L. Acland and Science Magazine, found that Gino had “borrowed text” from dozens of academic sources. The analysis revealed that a book chapter co-authored by Gino contained plagiarized text from 10 other works, including academic papers and student theses.
Further examination using plagiarism detection software identified 15 potential instances of plagiarism in Gino’s books, “Rebel Talent” and “Sidetracked.” The instances ranged from verbatim copying to more subtle forms of paraphrasing and mimicry, with passages resembling texts from news reports, blogs, and academic literature.
Gino’s attorney, Andrew T. Miltenberg, vehemently defended her integrity, stating that they will continue to fight against what they believe is an attempt to tarnish her reputation. Gino has maintained her innocence amidst the allegations and a previous investigation that recommended her termination.
The new plagiarism allegations come on the heels of data manipulation claims against Gino, which led to her being barred from campus and notified that her tenure was under review for revocation. Gino filed a $25 million lawsuit against Harvard and the accusers, alleging conspiracy and gender discrimination.
The case is awaiting a major ruling, but critics have raised concerns about the potential implications of silencing critics. The author of one of the allegedly plagiarized articles, Mari K. Ness, expressed her disappointment and plans to seek legal counsel. The controversy surrounding Gino continues to unfold, raising questions about academic integrity and accountability.