Cornell U. Finds No Research Misconduct in Controversial Food Scientist’s Work

Cornell University says that a professor’s questionable research practices “did not constitute scientific misconduct” but that there will be an external statistical review of his published work.

Brian Wansink, a well-known food researcher at Cornell, drew scrutiny last month, when his work was shown to include statistical discrepancies, questionable research practices, and recycled data. The fallout was detailed in The Chronicle in March, and on Wednesday Cornell issued a statement saying it had completed an internal review of Mr. Wansink’s work and planned to establish “a process in which Professor Wansink would engage external statistical experts to validate his review and reanalysis of the papers and attendant published errata.”

“Professor Wansink has acknowledged the repeated use of identical language and in some cases dual publication of materials,” the statement said, adding that the university would continue to evaluate other cases related to Mr. Wansink.