Harvard University’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, Sherri Ann Charleston, is facing accusations of plagiarism in her early academic works, including her 2009 dissertation and a 2014 peer-reviewed study.
The complaint alleges that she failed to properly attribute others’ work, with instances of verbatim use without quotation marks and adding references only in footnotes.
The complaint also suggests that she may have used her husband’s work in her own study.
BREAKING REPORT: ⚠️ Harvard's diversity chief Sherri Ann Charleston hit with 40 PLAGERISM ALLEGATIONS following Claudine Gay scandal..
An anonymous report received by the Ivy League institution on Monday alleges that Sherri Ann Charleston committed plagiarism in at least 40… pic.twitter.com/2TuIZYudaL
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) January 30, 2024
Despite these allegations, Charleston has not commented.
The university declined to confirm if an investigation will take place but emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion under Charleston’s leadership.
“Harvard is a community that embraces diversity in backgrounds, experiences and perspectives,” school spokesman Jason Newton said.
“Through her leadership as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Sherri Ann Charleston has advanced our belief that everyone who comes to Harvard belongs at Harvard and, whether a student, faculty, staff member or researcher, should have the opportunity to succeed,” Newton added.
This comes after the ousting of former president Claudine Gay, who faced similar accusations and stepped down amid controversy.
