Geoffrey Marcy

A California Planet Search paper using historical data included Marcy as its third author, while several young researchers who had contributed observations had not been offered co-authorship. Several co-authors withdrew their names and the preprint was withdrawn; the young researchers denounced the effect of including a sanctioned former harasser on safety and scientific credit. Marcy subsequently voluntarily withdrew his co-authorship from this and future CPS papers.

State of the evidence

Documented

The National Academy of Sciences rescinded Geoffrey Marcy's membership, effective 24 May 2021, following consideration of a complaint under section 4 of its Code of Conduct. He became the first person whose NAS membership was rescinded under this modern process.

State of the evidence

Documented

A six-month investigation by UC Berkeley's Title IX office concluded that Marcy had violated the university's sexual harassment policy following complaints describing unwanted touching, kissing, massages and other conduct towards female students.

State of the evidence

Documented

Berkeley initially imposed an agreement on Marcy providing, among other things, a zero-tolerance policy for any further misconduct, without immediate suspension or dismissal. This response prompted strong indignation among students, academics and the scientific community, who considered it inadequate in light of the Title IX finding.

State of the evidence

Documented

Marcy published an open letter stating that he did not agree with every complaint but acknowledged that his conduct had been unwelcome to some women. He said he took full responsibility for his actions and their impact and apologised.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Faculty members and postdoctoral researchers in Berkeley's astronomy department publicly stated that Marcy had been inadequately sanctioned and could no longer perform the duties of a faculty member, increasing pressure for his departure.

State of the evidence

Documented

Marcy resigned from his professorship at UC Berkeley. The Chancellor and Provost accepted his resignation and described the reported behaviour as “contemptible and inexcusable”, while acknowledging criticism of the university's initial response.

State of the evidence

Documented

During the same period, Marcy left his role as principal investigator of the Breakthrough Listen programme, and San Francisco State University ended his adjunct professorship. These decisions extended the professional consequences beyond Berkeley.

State of the evidence

Documented

Following the emergence of the Berkeley case in 2015, former students and a former sexual harassment officer at San Francisco State University described complaints against Marcy dating back to the 1990s, with several colleagues describing his conduct as an “open secret” in astronomy.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated