Dear Community,
Welcome to the Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School! Our mission is to advance women and gender equity by equipping leaders and changemakers with evidence-based strategies and data-driven policies and procedures to promote systemic change.
We recognize that gender inequality is a structural problem that undermines our economy, our democracy, peace and security, civic engagement, education, and all of our well-being. We believe that structural problems require structural solutions, which involve top-down, systemic interventions and bottom-up empowerment of more diverse generations of leaders and changemakers. Our work focuses both on the effectiveness of interventions in closing gender gaps and on measuring the impact of increased gender equality and diversity on organizational, societal, and political performance.
We conduct and support research, train leaders across all sectors, and support students’ development to become influential decision-makers around the world. Collaboration with our researchers, partners, and supporters, particularly our Women’s Leadership Board, enhances our impact on public policy and leadership.
As you engage with our research and programs, we hope you are inspired to join us on this journey. For our students, you may be particularly interested in our Gender Course Guide, the “From Harvard Square to the Oval Office” political training program, Professor Bohnet’s spring class on Behavioral Science for Inclusive Organizations, our weekly seminar series hosted by Professor Bowles in the fall, the Gender Action Portal (GAP), and internship opportunities.
We are honored to co-direct the Women and Public Policy Program and join an incredible team dedicated to our shared mission of advancing gender equality.
On behalf of the Women and Public Policy Program, welcome!
Iris Bohnet
Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government
Co-Director, Women and Public Policy Program
Hannah Riley Bowles
Roy E. Larsen Senior Lecturer in Public Policy And Management
Co-Director, Women and Public Policy Program
Co-Director, Center For Public Leadership