Meaning:
“学术” means “academic,” and “裁缝” refers to “seamsters.” As seamsters are those who knit and sew, Chinese netizens use this term as a metaphor to refer to those researchers who cannot do original research but submit papers by copying from various sources.
Example:
A: 你们系的老师水平怎么样？
Nǐmen xì de lǎoshī shuǐpíng zěnmeyàng？
How do you evaluate the teachers of your department professionally?
B: 大部分人能力很强，但也有一两个学术裁缝。
Dàbùfen rén nénglì hěn qiáng，dàn yě yǒu yīliǎnggè xuéshù cáiféng。
Most are talented, but one or two cannot do original research and submit papers by copying from various sources.