Nick Burns (right) with Ashton Carter, co-director of the Preventive Defense Project

Former U.S. Diplomat R. Nicholas Burns Appointed to Harvard Kennedy School Faculty

Burns Joins Belfer Center's Board of Directors

Press Release

August 19, 2008

Author: Doug Gavel

CAMBRIDGE, MA - R. Nicholas Burns, the highest-ranking career diplomat at the U.S. Department of State until his retirement in April, has been appointed Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. David T. Ellwood, dean of the school, announced that Burns will begin on September 1. He will also serve on the Board of Directors at the school's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

Burns has an extensive background in diplomacy and international affairs, having served most recently as U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs (2005-08). In that position he served as the third-ranking official in the State Department as a lead member of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's senior management team. Among other accomplishments, Burns shepherded successful negotiations to achieve new agreements with India in civil nuclear energy; negotiated a $30 billion long-term military assistance agreement with Israel; and served as the chief U.S. negotiator on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Prior to his appointment at the State Department, Burns served as United States Ambassador to NATO (2001-05); United States Ambassador to Greece (1997-2001); spokesperson for the U.S. State Department (1995-97); and served for five years at the White House as Director for Soviet Affairs for President George H.W. Bush (1990-92), and then special assistant to President Clinton and Senior Director for Russian Affairs (1993-95). Burns earned his bachelor's degree at Boston College, and his master's degree from John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He also holds honorary doctorates from ten American universities.

"Nick Burns is considered one of the most effective and thoughtful diplomats of his generation. His impressive record of public service across five presidential administrations over 27 years attests to his strengths as a leader, negotiator and communicator," said Dean Ellwood. "The broad range of experience Nick brings to the Kennedy School and the Belfer Center will inform our research and shape our classroom discussions for years to come."

Graham T. Allison, director of the Belfer Center, said, "Harvard Kennedy School is fortunate to have someone of Nick Burn's stature and insight joining our community. His first-hand experience in grappling with the central challenges of foreign policy will enrich faculty, researchers and students alike."

"It's an outstanding appointment," said Senator Edward M. Kennedy. "Nick Burns is a brilliant and highly respected diplomat. Kennedy School students will benefit immensely from his extensive hands-on experience in foreign policy. I know President Kennedy would be proud of this appointment."

"I am honored to join the Harvard faculty and look forward to working with the students and my new colleagues at the Kennedy School," said Burns. "I intend to teach and write about contemporary American foreign policy and the leadership role our country must play in an increasingly globalized world."

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Harvard Kennedy School maintains an abiding commitment to advancing the public interest by training skilled, enlightened leaders and solving public problems through world-class scholarship and active engagement with practitioners and decision makers. The school offers the depth, reflection, insight, and excellence of ideas and teaching that can shape future leaders, affect public policies, and make an impact on people and their daily lives.

For more information about this publication please contact the Belfer Center Communications Office at 617-495-9858.

For Academic Citation:
Gavel, Doug. "Former U.S. Diplomat R. Nicholas Burns Appointed to Harvard Kennedy School Faculty." Burns Joins Belfer Center's Board of Directors., 2008 Aug 19.