AFL concussion expert Paul McCrory facing more claims of plagiarism
A Melbourne academic accused of “inventing” research on concussions is facing accusations of plagiarism as more of his work comes under close scrutiny.
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Melbourne neurologist and academic Paul McCrory is facing more claims of plagiarism in the wake of allegations that he “invented” research on concussion that helped frame the AFL’s head-knock policy.
The Florey Institute associate professor now faces accusations of nine more examples where he is said to have copied large swathes of research, some of it apparently verbatim, in papers and journals between 2002 and 2015.
Psychologist and researcher Nick Brown tracked the other nine alleged cases of copyright infringement in academic journals and books.
“Based on what I have found here, Dr McCrory does not strike me as an especially outstanding example of scientific integrity, and it does make me wonder what other aspects of his life as a scientist and influencer of public policy might not stand up to close scrutiny,’’ Dr Brown said.
The Herald Sun is not suggesting the allegations are true, only that they have been made
The latest allegations raise issues of academic integrity for The Florey, as well as the University of Melbourne with which it is affiliated.
Associate Professor McCrory, a former Collingwood club doctor, achieved his PhD at Melbourne and is listed as an expert on the university website.
Associate Professor McCrory could not be reached for comment.
Neuroscientist and concussion researcher Alan Pearce said the claims had far-reaching implications.
“While it’s an issue concerning academic plagiarism, there is also a wider concern around the integrity regarding the international consensus on concussion, which unlike other consensus guidelines, is one of the most influential documents in sport, driving issues such as return to play provisions, and acknowledgment on long-term effects such as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy),’’ Associate Professor Pearce said in relation to the allegations.
Last week, an article that Associate Professor McCrory wrote for the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2005 was retracted for “unlawful and indefensible breach of copyright”. It was found to have “significant overlap” with an article by Dr Steve Haake, a professor of sports engineering at Sheffield Hallam University in England.
Dr Haake said more than half of the words in the McCrory article were his.
Associate Professor McCrory has since resigned as chair of the Concussion in Sport Group.
His input has helped shape the AFL’s concussion policy and return-to-play protocols.
But he was also criticised for questioning links between head knocks in AFL and CTE.
Many former football players have been diagnosed with CTE, a progressive and ultimately fatal brain disease. The disease has been linked to repeated head knocks.
The Florey Institute, based at the Melbourne University Parkville campus, said on Friday that the initial claims related to a time when Associate Professor McCrory was not an employee.
In a statement on Tuesday, it said: “The Florey treats all matters concerning scientific integrity with the utmost seriousness and in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.”
Originally published as AFL concussion expert Paul McCrory facing more claims of plagiarism
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