Harvard Kennedy School

About Us

Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. Through research, teaching, and engagement with practitioners, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government improves public policy and public leadership so that people can live in societies that are safer, freer, more just, and more sustainably prosperous. Our faculty, students, staff, about 23,000 degree program alumni, and more than 66,000 executive education participants tackle a diverse range of public challenges in the United States and around the world. Our teaching, research, and engagement with practitioners focus on these priorities: - Protecting international security and freedom - Strengthening democracy - Advancing social justice and human rights - Increasing economic well-being - Enhancing sustainability - Improving public leadership and management To fulfill Harvard Kennedy School’s (HKS) values and to achieve excellence in our mission of improving public policy and leadership: - We foster a diverse and welcoming school community where everyone can thrive. - We oppose racism and other systemic injustices, working to build an HKS and a world with respect and dignity for all. - We—faculty, staff, students, and alumni—work together to make strategic and fundamental changes to support diversity, equity, and anti-racism.