MIT Professor and Billionaire's Wife Embroiled in Plagiarism Scandal
Plagiarism allegations have arisen against Neri Oxman, an innovative MIT professor and wife of billionaire Bill Ackman, concerning her 2010 doctoral dissertation.
Charlie Kennedy
- 2024-01-05
- Updated 08:48 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - Neri Oxman, who has held a tenured position at MIT since 2017 and left in 2020, has been accused of plagiarizing parts of her 330-page PhD dissertation entitled "Material-based Design Computation." Business Insider reported that Oxman's work included direct quotes from several sources without appropriate citation. These sources include two articles by NYU historian Peder Anker, dating back to 1995 and 2006, as well as a book by German physicist Claus Mattheck published in 1998. Oxman commenced her PhD program in 2005, culminating in her doctoral degree in 2010, the same year she joined the MIT faculty.
Bill Ackman's Defiance
The plagiarism revelations are particularly poignant as Ackman previously made headlines by calling for the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay over similar allegations. Notably, Ackman criticized Harvard’s endorsement of Gay, suggesting that the university's decision to retain her on the faculty post-presidency undermines the seriousness of academic integrity issues. Ackman has defended his wife assertively, claiming that the allegations are part of targeted attacks on her credibility. He underscored Oxman's acclaimed career, featuring her participation in 116 exhibitions and the attainment of 15 patents as evidence of her professional integrity.
Oxman's Apology and Ackman's Criticisms
Responding to the controversy, Oxman expressed regret for her citation mistakes and apologized, recognizing the importance of proper academic referencing. Further asserting his wife's stance, Ackman juxtaposed Oxman’s remorseful response to Claudine Gay's circumstances, emphasizing the need for Harvard to reevaluate its stance on academic misconduct. Ackman has been outspoken about his opposition to Harvard's support for Gay, who he believes should be dismissed entirely from the institution due to plagiarism issues.
The scandal sheds light on the far-reaching implications of academic integrity in universities and among high-profile personalities. As a respected figure in the field of design and computation, Oxman's apology and the ensuing debate over appropriate repercussions reflect the complexities surrounding academic standards and personal achievements. The academic community continues to scrutinize the balance between acknowledging errors and maintaining rigorous scholarly conduct.
