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.”
Fellows will contribute to our ongoing research projects on energy policy, climate policy, climate finance, and energy technology innovation, including policy implementation options to scale new clean energy technologies in the United States, pathways and policies for decarbonization in China, the interactions between policies and technologies as we move toward a decarbonized energy system, agriculture and energy policy (food vs. fuel).
Research areas in 2024-2025:
Energy Innovation and Decarbonization Policy for the United States, China, and India
The project’s broad goal is to understand the interactions between policies and technologies as the world tries to decarbonize the energy system while addressing concerns about security, reliability, and cost. Fellows will conduct research that will provide actionable insights to policy makers, companies, investors, and society on how technology and policy innovation can accelerate progress towards a decarbonized energy system. We are interested in proposals on large-scale carbon management, decarbonizing transportation, carbon capture and sequestration, energy efficiency and buildings, and the operation and modernization of the electricity grid. Fellows will support our research on policy implementation options to scale new clean energy technologies in the United States, China, and India; technologies that have the potential to make a significant contribution to national efforts to reach a goal of complete decarbonization of the economy by 2050.
We are also recruiting fellows with specific interests in three areas: green hydrogen, climate finance, and agriculture and energy policy (see below).
Green Hydrogen
Does green hydrogen offer a realistic solution for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors? Which sectors are the most promising for green hydrogen implementation? How do infrastructural, economic, and political factors facilitate or hinder green hydrogen development? What role do regional differences play? How will the additional energy necessary for electrolysis impact both the grid and the renewable energy transition? Fellows will explore the opportunities and challenges surrounding renewable hydrogen production, scaling, and deployment. Research topics of interest include renewable hydrogen economics, regulations, production considerations, technological innovation, policymaking, infrastructure, energy-system impacts, and geopolitical dynamics, although further topics in the hydrogen space will also be considered.
Agriculture and Energy Policy
What are the opportunities and challenges around the greater use of biofuels in the global transition to a less carbon-intensive energy mix? How can government policies overcome the obstacles to greater production of biofuels and what are the uses that are most promising. Specifically, can biofuels play a greater role in fueling sectors such as shipping, heavy trucking, and aviation? If so, how? We are also interested in proposals that explore the impact of greater biofuels production on direct and indirect environmental externalities and agricultural practices. We will entertain proposals that assess the supportive infrastructure that will need to be built to facilitate the greater use of biofuels. Research proposals can address these questions from a US or EU perspective.
Attracting Private Capital to Climate Finance
The climate finance project focuses on strategies for attracting private finance to bridge a part of the shortfall in climate-related investments. The first phase of the project is addressing investments in the physical infrastructure sector. The central research questions are: 1) What is the magnitude of value that climate-related investments are expected to generate, and how would this value be distributed? 2) How can private finance be sourced to meet part of the investment needs to address the impact of climate change? 3) What unique value can private engagement bring to address the opportunities and challenges posed by climate change? We are looking for fellows with experience in the fields of infrastructure finance, climate finance, green bonds, or sustainable investment. We have a special interest in how developing countries can attract greater amounts of green financing.
Fellows are expected to work in collaboration with each other, with our affiliated faculty and staff, and engage with associated research teams at other Harvard schools and other institutions.
Stipend
Fellows are provided with a stipend, office space, and some support for research expenses including travel. Postdoctoral fellows are eligible for Harvard benefits, including health insurance; predoctoral fellows and fellows who received their PhD more than five years ago may receive full or partial reimbursement for health insurance premiums. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding. All applicants should clearly indicate on their application form whether they are seeking full or partial funding and indicate other potential funding sources.
