Another generation is at risk of developing fatal brain disease, says Dr Chris Nowinski. ‘Whether you’re hitting your child in the head or letting them get tackled, their brain can’t tell the difference’
A leading international concussion expert has said “anything Paul McCrory has touched” must be reviewed in the wake of plagiarism allegations against the Australian-based neurologist who has advised global sporting bodies on the effects of concussion.
Few cases of research misconduct in Australia have had such a wide international impact as the alleged plagiarism and fabrication by Paul McCrory. Given the amount of contact sports played by children nationally, in the community and professionally, as well as the previous reputation and influence of Paul’s work, the implications that his research and findings may have been fabricated are truly frightening. This piece in The Guardian looks out the debate and concern swirling around his fall from grace.
McCrory resigned as chair of the Concussion in Sport Group in March amid earlier allegations of plagiarism in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. At the time he was quoted on Retraction Watch apologising, saying his failure to attribute third party work was an error and “ … not deliberate or intentional”
In the wake of those allegations, his work is also being investigated by the AFL – to whom he provided research and advice for years – and he is the subject of a separate investigation by Australia’s medical regulator.
