Hauser No Longer to Teach at Extension School

Harvard Psychology Professor Marc D. Hauser, who took leave from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences upon accusations of scientific misconduct, will no longer teach classes at Harvard Extension School this year, according to the school's website.

The news signifies a reversal from recent indication that Hauser would continue teaching at Harvard this academic year, despite being on leave from FAS. Dean of Continuing Education and University Extension Michael Shinagel had “confirmed with University leadership that it was indeed appropriate for Professor Hauser to teach in the Extension School," according to an e-mail from Extension School spokeswoman Linda A. Cross last Friday.

But the statuses of the two courses' availability are now labeled "Canceled" on the school's website. Hauser, a specialist in cognitive neuroscience, had been slated to teach Psychology E-1153: “Cognitive Evolution” this fall and Psychology E-1006: “The Moral Sense: From Genes to Law” in the spring at the school.

“I am deeply disappointed as I was extremely excited about teaching the courses,” Hauser wrote in an e-mail to The Crimson on Monday night. “I will return to teaching in the fall of 2011, including courses both at the College and at the Extension School.”

Hauser did not respond to a question about why the cancellation of the two courses had occurred.

In an e-mail last week, before the cancellation of his Extension School classes, Hauser wrote that he had never taught at the school and was “keen to extend [his] reach of teaching experiences.”

At the time, Cross said that it is “not uncommon for teachers on leave from FAS for various reasons” to teach at the Extension School. In turn, Shinagel said in a statement that Hauser's course is "a popular one, attracting strong interest and high ratings from students."

Hauser took a leave following a three-year investigation into allegations of research misconduct in his laboratory. In a letter to the Faculty earlier this month, FAS Dean Michael D. Smith wrote that Hauser was found “solely responsible" for eight instances of scientific misconduct involving the collection, analysis, and storage of data and the reporting of research methods and results.

Without naming specific actions taken against Hauser, Smith said that he did “impose appropriate sanctions,” which he said could include forced leave and increased oversight and limitation of research.

The Harvard Extension School is one of the 13 degree-granting schools of the University, offering on-campus and online courses.

Cross did not immediately return requests for comment Monday night.

—Staff writer Naveen N. Srivatsa can be reached at srivatsa@fas.harvard.edu.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: August 31, 2010

An earlier version of the Aug. 30 news article "Hauser No Longer to Teach at Extension School" incorrectly referred to the dean of continuing education and University extension as Michael J. Shinagel. In fact, he has no middle initial.