Harvard Kennedy School Inquiry Clears Ricardo Hausmann of Research Misconduct

An inquiry into plagiarism allegations against Ricardo Hausmann, a prominent political economist at the Harvard Kennedy School, concluded after determining the accusations did not meet the University’s definition of research misconduct.

Hausmann was informed of the decision via a Jan. 23 email.

César A. Hidalgo, a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics and Hausmann’s former collaborator, publicly accused Hausmann of plagiarism in a post on X in August.

Hidalgo, with whom Hausmann had worked closely from 2006 to 2013, alleged that Hausmann failed to properly cite his 2023 peer-reviewed paper in two working papers published in April 2024.

Both Hidalgo and Hausmann requested that the University investigate the allegations. But six months after the allegations surfaced, the Kennedy School closed its process without initiating a full investigation.

Harvard’s first step in investigating research misconduct complaints — such as plagiarism allegations — is a preliminary screening to determine whether the accusations are credible. If so, a committee begins an inquiry to review evidence and decide whether to proceed with an investigation.

According to the email sent to Hausmann, the inquiry committee determined that the allegation did “not fall within the definition of research misconduct in the Policy” and thus an investigation was not warranted.

HKS Dean Jeremy Weinstein reviewed the inquiry report and confirmed the conclusion, the email said.

“I am happy to see this over, to close this chapter,” Hausmann said in an interview. “This was an unpleasant experience, and it was resolved the way it should have been resolved.”

Hausmann said he participated fully in a “thorough” inquiry, providing the committee with documentation, a written statement, and an interview.

“They even took my computer to find any relevant materials,” said Hausmann. “But when there’s nothing there, there’s nothing there.”

In an interview after the inquiry’s closure, Hidalgo said he thought there was enough “substantial overlap in the papers” that the Kennedy School should have conducted a full investigation.

Hidalgo was not informed of the results of the inquiry, though both he and Hausmann participated in an evidentiary hearing along with other faculty.

“The promise that I was given was that they were going to reach out to me with a conclusion,” Hidalgo said. “I think it’s the honorable thing to do. I’m waiting for them to keep their promise.”

Hidalgo said he felt the Kennedy School did not communicate with him during the inquiry.

“I don’t feel like I had access to the process,” he said.

Harvard Kennedy School spokesperson Daniel B. Harsha referred to Section E of the University’s guide to responding to allegations of research misconduct, which does not entitle complainants “to receive information about the status or outcome of the process.”

—Staff writer Elise A. Spenner can be reached at elise.spenner@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X at @EliseSpenner.

—Staff writer Will P. Cottiss can be reached at will.cottiss@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X at @WillPCottiss.