AITJ for reporting my professor for using my research without credit?

Im a grad student (25F) working on my thesis about marine biology. My professor Dr. Harrison (50sM) is my advisor and has access to all my research.

Last month I saw he published a paper in a scientific journal. When I read it I realized entire sections were MY research word for word. He used my data, my analysis, my conclusions. I wasnt listed as a co-author or even mentioned in acknowledgments.

I confronted him and he said as my advisor hes entitled to use student research for publications and this is "standard practice." I checked with other professors and they said thats absolutely not true and what he did is plagiarism and academic theft.

I reported him to the university ethics board with evidence. Hes now under investigation and the journal put a hold on the paper. Word got around the department and some people are supporting me but others are saying I "ruined his career over nothing."

One professor told me I should have just let it go because Dr. Harrison has been here 20 years and has a reputation to protect. But what about MY reputation and MY work?

Dr. Harrison has been removed as my advisor and wont speak to me. Some grad students are calling me a snitch and saying I made the whole program look bad.

TL;DR: Professor plagiarized my research in his publication, I reported him and now people think I overreacted and ruined his career.

Posted Jan 27, 2026, 11:27 AM UTC

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