The overarching question imparting urgency to this exploration is: Can U.S.-Russian contention in cyberspace cause the two nuclear superpowers to stumble into war? In considering this question we were constantly reminded of recent comments by a prominent U.S. arms control expert: At least as dangerous as the risk of an actual cyberattack, he observed, is cyber operations’ “blurring of the line between peace and war.” Or, as Nye wrote, “in the cyber realm, the difference between a weapon and a non-weapon may come down to a single line of code, or simply the intent of a computer program’s user.”
Founded by Belfer Center Director, MIT Innovation Fellow, and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, the TAPP Project works to ensure that emerging technologies are developed and managed in ways that serve the overall public good.
Our Project Principles
Technology’s advance is inevitable, and it often brings with it much progress for some. Yet, progress for all is not guaranteed. We have an obligation to foresee the dilemmas presented by emerging technology and to generate solutions to them.
There is no silver bullet; effective solutions to technology-induced public dilemmas require a mix of government regulation and tech-sector self-governance. The right mix can only result from strong and trusted linkages between the tech sector and government.
Ensuring a future where public purpose drives innovation requires the next generation of tech and policy leaders to act; we must train and inspire them to implement sustainable solutions and carry the torch.
Applications for student research positions are officially open. Please apply below to be considered for a paid student position for academic year 2022-2023. All positions outlined here are paid and require approximately 7-10 hours of work per week.
Application deadline: Friday, September 23rd at 11:59PM ET. We will not consider late applications.
Short-listed applicants will be notified on a rolling basis and no later than Tuesday, September 27th; final decisions will be made by Friday, September 30th.
If you have any questions that are not addressed in the FAQ, please reach out to amrithajayanti@hks.harvard.edu.
What is the average time commitment for a student role with TAPP?
Students work an average of 7-10 hours per week, depending on project plans and specific workloads, throughout the academic year.
How much are students paid?
Students are paid $20.50/hour, which is the rate set by Harvard's Graduate School Union.
How long is the term for this position?
Students work with the TAPP Project for the whole academic year.
Is this position open to students not affiliated with the Harvard Kennedy School / not affiliated with Harvard?
Yes, students that are not affiliated with HKS or Harvard can apply but the student must be based in California or Massachusetts.
Do students get credit for research and work conducted during their time at TAPP?
Yes, students get authorship credit and contributor acknowledgements for any publications or research they contribute to. Details of authorship listings and acknowledgements are specific to each sub-project within TAPP's portfolio. Please ask your team lead for details on researcher credit.