Jo Boaler, a professor of mathematics education at Stanford University, finds herself at the center of a heated controversy. Faced with accusations of “citation misrepresentation,” she becomes one of many academics targeted in a broader campaign led by conservative activists. This movement, spearheaded by figures such as Christopher Rufo and backed by organizations like the Heritage Foundation and Manhattan Institute, aims to scrutinize and challenge scholarly work on equity and diversity. Allegations of plagiarism and research misconduct have become tools in this campaign, casting a shadow over academic freedom and integrity.
The complaint against Boaler detailed 52 instances of alleged "citation misrepresentation." Filed anonymously, the complaint accused her of misrepresenting findings and methods from reference papers to support claims in her work. According to the complainants:
"Our contention is that Dr Boaler has misrepresented the findings and/or methods of a number of reference papers," – anonymous complainants
They further stated:
"For her to erroneously represent that these papers support claims made in her work, when they do not, is a reckless disregard for accuracy." – anonymous complainants
Boaler's research focuses on equity-focused teaching approaches in mathematics, making her a target for conservative critics. She argues that the campaign against her is an attempt to stifle important academic discourse, stating:
"They're literally trying to block research evidence from going out" – Jo Boaler
This backlash against Boaler is part of a growing trend where conservative activists target scholars for their work on diversity and inclusion. Christopher Rufo has been instrumental in these efforts, crafting narratives that accuse academics of plagiarism. In addition to the 100-page complaint against Boaler, Rufo has penned articles critiquing the scholarship of others, asserting:
"This is a universal strategy that can be applied by the right to most issues" – Christopher Rufo
The impact of these campaigns extends beyond Boaler. In the months following the resignation of a scholar amid plagiarism accusations, at least seven other academics have faced similar allegations. These attacks have gained traction through conservative media outlets like Fox News and the Washington Free Beacon, further amplified by high-profile figures such as Ted Cruz and Elon Musk who have shared these stories on social media.
The intensity of these campaigns is notably severe against scholars of color. Of the seven scholars accused of plagiarism, six are Black. The Harvard Crimson has described the assaults on Harvard's Black faculty as a "witch hunt," raising concerns about racial bias in these accusations. While administrations at universities have shown support for targeted scholars, there is apprehension about the influence of university boards in these matters.
The backlash against academia has been characterized as a "growing phenomenon," with scholars voicing concerns about sustained efforts to undermine higher learning institutions. Such campaigns threaten to delegitimize academic work, particularly in fields related to diversity and inclusion.
Rufo, however, denies targeting Black women specifically. He maintains that his investigations span all racial groups and claims that findings indicate a "preponderance of plagiarism by academics who specialized in 'diversity'."