Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard’s 2025 Class Days
At Convocation and Class Day ceremonies last week, Harvard’s Class of 2025 gathered to celebrate their new degrees. But the Trump administration’s attacks on Harvard cast a shadow over the proceedings — and graduates, faculty, and keynote speakers across Harvard’s schools paired their messages of joy with defiance.
Flush With Cash and Hype, Defense Tech Is a New Career Target for Some Harvard Students
As they enter the workforce, Harvard students are increasingly feeling the pull of defense technology firms.
Journalist Christiane Amanpour and HKS Dean Jeremy Weinstein Rally Against Trump at Class Day
The Harvard Kennedy School Class Day — established as a celebration of student accomplishment — amounted to a show of resistance against the Trump administration’s assault on Harvard on Thursday.
In Trump’s Orders, Harvard’s Most International School Sees a Crisis
At the Harvard Kennedy School, the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard’s eligibility to enroll international students — temporarily blocked in court — could eliminate nearly 60 percent of the student body.
Former HKS Dean Joseph Nye Remembered as a Preeminent Scholar of International Relations
Nye, a towering scholar and policymaker who spent the last 60 years at the center of international security debates in Washington and Cambridge, died Tuesday. He was 88.
Former HKS Dean, Leading International Relations Scholar Joseph Nye Dead at 88
Former Harvard Kennedy School dean Joseph S. Nye Sr. died at 88 on Tuesday. Nye, who served as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs under President Bill Clinton, was one of the most influential thinkers in contemporary international relations theory.
IOP Upgrades Environmental Action Coalition to Pilot Program
The Institute of Politics leadership voted narrowly last week to upgrade the Environmental Action Coalition to a pilot program, bringing the total number of IOP programs to 17.
As HKS Dean, Jeremy Weinstein Courts the Faculty
When Jeremy Weinstein arrived at the Harvard Kennedy School in July 2024, the first thing he did was meet with each member of the school’s nearly 200-person faculty in their office.
Tim Walz Says at Harvard Talk That Democrats Need To ‘Fundamentally Change’ To Win in 2028
Former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said he was “not sure” whether the Democratic Party yet has a viable presidential candidate for the 2028 election at an Institute of Politics forum on Monday — but remained adamant it wouldn’t be him.
‘Never Going to Be Like That’: Former National Security Council Official Rejects Trump’s Tariff Strategy on China
Former National Security Council official Rush Doshi blasted the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs on China and warned that the United States is losing ground in global competition at a Harvard Institute of Politics forum on Wednesday.
Former Irish Prime Minister Relives His Tenure at 2025 Gustav Pollak Lecture
Former Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar said Western countries should give more foreign aid to reduce illegal migration and defended the rise of deportations during his tenure at the 2025 Gustav Pollak Lecture on Thursday.
Harvard Kennedy School Revokes Fellowship to Human Rights Activist, Saying Offer Was Premature
The Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights offered a fellowship to Columbia University professor and Human Rights Watch staff member A. Kayum Ahmed — and then, weeks later, withdrew the offer.
Sen. Rick Scott Backs Trump’s Attacks on Harvard at HKS Talk
Florida Senator Rick Scott defended the Trump administration’s campaign against Harvard and questioned the University’s tax-exempt status at an Institute of Politics forum Wednesday evening.
Young Americans Oppose Trump, Report Economic Hardship in New IOP Poll
A new Institute of Politics poll finds that the Trump administration's policies are deeply unpopular among young people.
IOP Fellows and Study Groups Leaders Push for Changes After Exclusive Biden Invite List
Leaders of the Fellows and Study Group program at the Institute of Politics said they are advocating for a “more inclusive system” after resident fellow Mike Donilon’s associates were passed over for invitations to former president Joe Biden’s invite-only appearance last Wednesday.
88 Pounds of Trash Collected at Eighth Annual Charles River Clean-Up
Harvard students and affiliates collected 88 pounds of trash, microplastics, and debris at the eighth annual Charles River Clean-Up on Thursday. The event held to mark Earth Day was co-hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School and Charles River Conservancy.
At IOP, Mayors of Rust Belt Cities Ponder Paths for Renewal
The mayors of three Rust Belt cities across the northern U.S. came to the Institute of Politics to discuss their effort to attract jobs, capital, and people to areas that have shrunk dramatically over an era of deindustrialization, emphasizing the potential of universities and redevelopment efforts to create new growth.
Joe Biden To Headline Invite-Only Event at Harvard Wednesday Afternoon
Former United States President Joe Biden will speak at the Institute of Politics on Wednesday afternoon for an off-the-record study group with his long-time adviser Mike Donilon, a fellow at the forum.
Joe Biden Applauds Harvard’s Resistance at Private Kennedy School Event
Former United States President Joe Biden celebrated Harvard’s decision to defy demands from the Trump administration at a private Institute of Politics seminar with senior advisor Mike Donilon on Wednesday afternoon.
Headway Over Headlines: Congressman James Clyburn Discusses Democrats’ Weaknesses in ‘Branding’
Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), former Assistant Democratic Leader and House Majority Whip, encouraged his party to reevaluate its public image and ideological coherence during a Monday evening IOP forum.
Panelists Condemn Weak International Response to Sudan at IOP Forum
Experts in African politics and international conflict called for renewed attention and a stronger global response to Sudan’s civil war at an Institute of Politics forum on Tuesday, exactly two years after the conflict began.
HOOP Organizes Silent Demonstration at Jake Sullivan IOP Forum
Eight Harvard affiliates unfurled banners above the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum to protest former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s role in Israel’s war in Gaza as he spoke at an Institute of Politics forum on Tuesday.
HKS Human Rights Hub Renamed Carr-Ryan Center After $10 Million Donation
The Harvard Kennedy School’s hub for human rights research was renamed the Carr-Ryan Center on Friday in recognition of a $10 million donation from venture capitalist Vincent Ryan.
African Leaders Call for Action on Trade and Accountability at IOP Forum
Two prominent African leaders said the Trump Administration’s tariffs will diminish U.S. influence and weaken diplomatic relations with African countries during a Friday Institute of Politics forum, just under a week after Trump’s 10 percent tariffs took effect.
Harvard Kennedy School Dean Denounces Visa Revocations in Email to Affiliates
Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy M. Weinstein condemned the revocation of student and alumni visas in a Friday afternoon email to HKS affiliates, describing the moment as “uncertain and frightening.”