“I use ‘disruptive’ in both its good and bad connotations. Disruptive scientific and technological progress is not to me inherently good or inherently evil. But its arc is for us to shape. Technology’s progress is furthermore in my judgment unstoppable. But it is quite incorrect that it unfolds inexorably according to its own internal logic and the laws of nature.”
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs supports and collaborates with several student and professional organizations at the school on career development and policy-relevant events. The Center has proudly partnered with Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D), the Black Student Union, the Armed Forces Committee, the Women in Power Conference, and the Future Society to host seminars and conferences at HKS. We welcome opportunities to forge partnerships between students and the Center.
» Get Belfer updates on student events and opportunities by signing up here.
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Cristina Killingsworth, Senior Director, WestExec Advisors, speaks with students about the future of women in foreign affairs during a Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D) lunch moderated by HKS MPP student Jennifer Gottesfeld.
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Susan M. Gordon, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, speaks on the challenges of intelligence in a rapidly-changing world during a Belfer Center Director’s seminar moderated by Eric Rosenbach, Co-director of the Belfer Center.
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Jacqueline Bhabha, Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights, Harvard School of Public Health and Jeremiah Smith Jr. Lecturer in Law, Harvard Law School, speaks with a student following a Female Faculty Lunch Series event hosted by Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).
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Wendy Sherman, Belfer Center Senior Fellow and former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, speaks about her career path from social work to the State Department as part of a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session hosted by W3D and moderated by Co-Chairs Alexandra Schmitt and Gabrielle Tarini MPP19.
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Loretta Lynch, former Attorney General of the United States, speaks on the issues she faced during her time as the U.S. Attorney General during a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session co-hosted with the Black Student Union and moderated by Demarquin Johnson joint MPP/JD at Harvard.
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Belfer Center Senior Fellow Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, discusses her experiences and the challenges around increasing the number of women in national security leadership positions at the first Women in Power Conference. Alexandra Schmitt MPP19, Co-Chair of W3D served as moderator.
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Susan Rice, former National Security Advisor to President Obama, former U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, and Belfer Center non-resident Senior Fellow, gives students and fellows career advice during a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session co-hosted with the Black Student Union and W3D.
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Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D) hosts a networking reception to kick-off the semester with their first guest, Liz Sherwood-Randall, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy and Belfer Senior Fellow.
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Juliette Kayyem, Director of the Homeland Security Project, speaks with a group of students over lunch as part of the Belfer Center Female Faculty Lunches hosted by Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).
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W3D and the Future of Diplomacy Project host Dr. Aminata Touré, the first female Prime Minister of Senegal, to converse with students about gender, foreign affairs, and leadership.
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Kevin Rudd, Belfer Center Senior Fellow, President of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former Prime Minister of Australia, talks to students about his career during a student session in the Belfer Library.
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Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, speaks to students and fellows as part of a Belfer Center Student Session co-hosted by the Black Student Union and Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).
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Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner, The Engine, gives insights from her career during a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session co-hosted with The Future Society and moderated by Arjun Bisen MPP19.
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Students meet with President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson at Bessastaðir (the President's official residence) during the trip to the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland.
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Cristina Killingsworth, Senior Director, WestExec Advisors, speaks with students about the future of women in foreign affairs during a Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D) lunch moderated by HKS MPP student Jennifer Gottesfeld.
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Susan M. Gordon, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, speaks on the challenges of intelligence in a rapidly-changing world during a Belfer Center Director’s seminar moderated by Eric Rosenbach, Co-director of the Belfer Center.
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Jacqueline Bhabha, Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights, Harvard School of Public Health and Jeremiah Smith Jr. Lecturer in Law, Harvard Law School, speaks with a student following a Female Faculty Lunch Series event hosted by Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).
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Wendy Sherman, Belfer Center Senior Fellow and former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, speaks about her career path from social work to the State Department as part of a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session hosted by W3D and moderated by Co-Chairs Alexandra Schmitt and Gabrielle Tarini MPP19.
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Loretta Lynch, former Attorney General of the United States, speaks on the issues she faced during her time as the U.S. Attorney General during a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session co-hosted with the Black Student Union and moderated by Demarquin Johnson joint MPP/JD at Harvard.
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Belfer Center Senior Fellow Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, discusses her experiences and the challenges around increasing the number of women in national security leadership positions at the first Women in Power Conference. Alexandra Schmitt MPP19, Co-Chair of W3D served as moderator.
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Susan Rice, former National Security Advisor to President Obama, former U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, and Belfer Center non-resident Senior Fellow, gives students and fellows career advice during a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session co-hosted with the Black Student Union and W3D.
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Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D) hosts a networking reception to kick-off the semester with their first guest, Liz Sherwood-Randall, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy and Belfer Senior Fellow.
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Juliette Kayyem, Director of the Homeland Security Project, speaks with a group of students over lunch as part of the Belfer Center Female Faculty Lunches hosted by Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).
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W3D and the Future of Diplomacy Project host Dr. Aminata Touré, the first female Prime Minister of Senegal, to converse with students about gender, foreign affairs, and leadership.
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Kevin Rudd, Belfer Center Senior Fellow, President of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former Prime Minister of Australia, talks to students about his career during a student session in the Belfer Library.
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Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, speaks to students and fellows as part of a Belfer Center Student Session co-hosted by the Black Student Union and Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D).
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Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner, The Engine, gives insights from her career during a Belfer Center Student and Fellows session co-hosted with The Future Society and moderated by Arjun Bisen MPP19.
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Students meet with President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson at Bessastaðir (the President's official residence) during the trip to the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Belfer IGA Group Photo
Belfer IGA Fellowship
The Belfer International and Global Affairs Student Fellowship Program helps prepare a community of high-achieving Harvard Kennedy School students to cultivate 21st century, global ideas and to gain the strong analytical and innovative leadership skills necessary to excel in the global affairs arena. The Belfer IGA program also aims to impart to students the importance of community, service, and leadership.
For Incoming and returning Masters in Public Policy (MPP) students at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) who enroll in the School’s International and Global Affairs (IGA) policy area of concentration.
Belfer IGA Student Fellows have the opportunity to participate in policy research in association with the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, HKS’s oldest and largest research center. After completing an information form over the summer, IGA then pairs students in the fall with a research project or program at the Belfer Center where they will observe and participate in policy research. These awards offer students the opportunity to spend five hours per week on research assistance to Belfer Center projects and programs, and provide a unique opportunity for mentorship by leading faculty and researchers.
Featured People
2018 Belfer IGA Fellows
Belfer Policy Chats (BPC) is a new Belfer event series held on every third Tuesday of the month. The series features our Pre/Post-Doc fellows to chat about issues on the forefront of global policy. The aim is to provide a forum to engage on an informal level on policy topics at the Center around topics such as national security, science and technology, cyber security, innovation, and competitiveness. Join us for beer, wine, and a lively discussion!
Upcoming BPC:
March 12th, 5:00-5:30pm, Belfer Library: James Shires and Vanessa Rhinesmith, and Aditi Kumar on “Can we write human rights into the Internet?”, RSVP HERE
April 16th, 5:00-6:30pm, Malkin Penthouse: Sahar Nowrouzzadeh and Reid Pauly, and Aditi Kumar on "Coercion, Diplomacy, and Nuclear Weapons: Eyes on Iran", RSVP HERE
Past BPC:
February 14th, 4:00-5:30pm, Malkin Penthouse: Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, Bernie Schoukroun, Bill Putnam, and Aditi Kumar on "Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military and Private Sector"
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
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Aditi Kumar, Executive Director of the Belfer Center, moderates a panel on “Applied Leadership: Lessons from the Field - Government, Military, Private Sector” at the first event of the Belfer Policy Chats Series. Recenati-Kaplan Fellows Bernadette Schoukroun, Brooke Carr, Russ Porter, and William Putnam rounded out the panel.
We are so excited to begin what is going to be an incredible Spring semester with the ongoing Female Faculty Lunch Series and the launch of a new series: The Future (of Foreign Affairs) is Female.
THE FUTURE (OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS) IS FEMALE
The Future (of Foreign Affairs) is Female features amazing women at a variety of career levels across the three sectors of defense, diplomacy, and development. The goal of the series is to highlight the many pathways students at HKS can achieve success in the field. Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development is very glad to organize these events and grateful for the Belfer Center's sponsorship and support. More dates and RSVP information for each lunch will be announced shortly. We hope you can join us!
- Sarah Sewall, Speyer Distinguished Scholar and Professor at SAIS and a Senior Fellow at InQTel, March 11th 12:00-1:00p.m., Belfer Library RSVP Here
- Sen. Claire McCaskill, Former Democratic U.S. Senator for Missouri, March 12th 10:30-11:30pm, Belfer Library RSVP Here
- Moira Whelan, Founding Partner of BlueDot Strategies and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Digital Strategy, March 28th 12:00-1:00p.m., Belfer Library RSVP Here
- Annie Boyajian, Director of Advocacy at Freedom House, April 4th 12:00-1:00p.m., Belfer Library RSVP Here
FEMALE FACULTY LUNCH SERIES
Please join Women in Defense Diplomacy and Development for this intimate lunch series with some of Harvard's most distinguished female faculty members. We'll be discussing the professors’ career paths, recent research, and their experiences as a woman working in the security policy community.
- Meghan O’Sullivan, Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, March 14th 12:00-1:00pm, Belfer Library RSVP Here
- Erica Chenoweth, Professor of Public Policy, March 25th 12:00-1:00p.m., Wexner 434 RSVP Here
- Lauren Brodksy, Lecturer in Public Policy, March 27th 12:00-1:00p.m., Location TBD, RSVP Here
The Future (of Foreign Affairs) is Female W3D Speaker Series
Belfer International Women's Day Reception - March 8
Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D)
Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development, a student organization at the Harvard Kennedy School, aims to elevate the visibility and impact of women at HKS interested in pursuing careers in the fields of security, diplomacy, and development. The group provides an inclusive space and network for students seeking to enter or advance within these traditionally male-dominated fields. They aim to provide a platform for women to become more meaningfully involved in these issues at HKS and beyond.
Armed Forces Committee (AFC)
The Armed Forces Committee is a student-led organization at HKS that, with support from the Belfer Center, hosts For the Common Defense, a weekly speaker series held in the Belfer Library. The AFC Leadership Team is comprised of: President: David Michelson; Communications Officer: Alexandra Bruer; Finance Chair: Jackie Parziale.
Several of the Belfer Program and Projects offer research opportunities for students during the semester.
Defending Digital Democracy Project (D3P)
The Defending Digital Democracy Project (D3P) is a student-based project at the Belfer Center. We center our work on student volunteers. Students are offered the chance to travel both domestically and internationally, working with election officials and key stakeholders in the democratic processes in the U.S. and other countries. The student team meets weekly and works closely with Eric Rosenbach and Robby Mook to craft D3P's activities and scope. In the past, students have conducted election research across the U.S., and created and ran table top exercises for election officials.
Interested students may reach out to mari_dugas@hks.harvard.edu, Project Coordinator, for more information and details on team meetings.
digital HKS offers a vibrant student community for students interested in exploring a career in digital technology and the public interest including designing, building, and engaging with digital technologies as they relate to civic participation, digital equity, governance of government platforms, and data accountability. There are many ways for students to get involved with the digital HKS community including becoming a research assistant or course assistant, helping to organize practitioner convenings (including the annual digital services event), writing for the digital HKS Medium publication, and much more throughout the year. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Vanessa Rhinesmith (email).
Environment and Natural Resources Project
ENRP offers internship funding for HKS and Harvard College students pursuing internships on a topic related to energy, the environment, or natural resources, at organizations that do not offer them a salary. More information on eligibility and application details can be found on our website.
ENRP has three paid part-time research assistant (RA) positions available in 2019 and the posting can be found on KNET here.
The Future of Diplomacy Project (FDP)
The Future of Diplomacy Project hires one Research Assistant during the academic semester and another one during the summer. They serve as an ambassador of FDP to the student body. They are responsible for supporting event logistics, disseminating information about our guest speakers and research publications, and conducting research for the Executive Director, Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook. We post vacancies for these positions on the OCA website, send emails to PICs and post on our Facebook page.
Managing the Atom Project (MTA)
The Managing the Atom Project will be accepting applications early next year for summer intern positions. Please contact jacob_carozza@hks.harvard.edu
The Middle East Initiative has a variety of offerings for students at Harvard Kennedy School. We encourage you to explore some of these opportunities on their website or contact us at MEI to discuss your interests in depth.
The Project on Europe and the Transatlantic Relationship (PETR)
The Project on Europe and the Transatlantic Relationship hires one Research Assistant during the academic semester. They serve as an ambassador of PETR to the student body. They are responsible for supporting event logistics, disseminating information about our guest speakers and research publications, and conducting research for the Executive Director, Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook. We post vacancies for these positions on the OCA website, send emails to PICs and post on our Facebook page.
Additionally, the Project on Europe hires a Research Assistant for our Rafael Del Pino- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MAEC) Fellow each year. The fellow is in residence at the Harvard Kennedy School for the full academic semester and conducts research on a subject of their choosing. The Research Assistant helps the fellow conduct his/her research.
Senior Fellow RA Positions
Opening for Research Assistant on Climate Change and Nuclear Threat - Work with Belfer Senior Fellow Daniel Poneman
Belfer Senior Fellow Daniel Poneman is seeking research assistance for a project on two existential threats facing humanity: climate change and nuclear threats. He has finished his book, DOUBLE JEOPARDY: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Change, which addresses both threats, as well as the role that nuclear policies and programs play in respect to both threats. For the 2018-19 year, Mr. Poneman is focusing on the book’s rollout, which entails a number of public events (e.g., the Smithsonian, Politics & Prose, MIT, etc.) and related writing assignments (e.g., op-eds and longer articles). To support these efforts, he is looking for candidates with experience on energy issues (latest research and literature of climate change, carbon taxes, renewable energy, nuclear energy, clean energy finance, innovation, etc.) as well as issues related to nuclear weapons (stewardship, deterrence, doctrine, and risks of loss or accident).
To apply, please send Margot van Loon (mav860@student.hks.harvard.edu) your resume and a short (1 or 2 paragraphs) statement of interest by February 6, 2019. The time commitment will be maximum 10 hours/week ($15/hr for postgrads, $11.50/hr for undergrads), and please note that while we welcome applications from active-duty military applicants, they cannot be paid for their work.
Technology and Public Purpose Project
The Technology and Public Purpose (TAPP) Project led by former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is a new initiative that works shape technological change for the public good. The TAPP Project offers a select number student research assistant positions on a rolling basis. Student Research Assistants work closely with other members of the TAPP team to conduct research and develop products related to emerging technologies and dimensions of public purpose.
Emerging Tech Policy Network
Helping future policy leaders navigate careers in emerging tech
The arc of innovative progress has reached an inflection point. Technological change has brought immeasurable benefits to billions through improved health, productivity, and convenience. Yet as recent events have shown, unless we actively manage their risks to society, new technologies may also bring unforeseen destructive consequences. As a result, the Technology and Public Purpose (TAPP) Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is piloting the Emerging Tech Policy Network.
The program will operate like a study group and career network focused on emerging technologies that are poised to have dramatic impacts on society over the course of the next several decades, and important policy questions surrounding their development. Policymakers face pressure to address pressing issues on our doorstep, but it is crucial to also have public leaders thinking about consequential medium and long-term questions. The program will therefore focus on ways to reduce the most serious risks of emerging technologies so that we may reap the benefits of innovation. It is primarily intended as an avenue to help students at the Kennedy School and individuals in the broader community navigate the most impactful policy careers related to emerging technology.
The program will meet during the spring Semester once a week from 6:30-8 p.m on Wednesdays over dinner. The first session will be Wednesday, February 13th. Harvard Kennedy School students and individuals not enrolled in the Kennedy School with a demonstrated interest in this topic are encouraged to apply.
This program will explore the following overarching questions for a range of emerging technologies:
● What is the current state of the technology?
● What are the greatest potential long-term risks to society? What is the potential upside?
● What policy actions could alleviate the risks? How can we ensure that policymakers are equipped with sufficient technical expertise, private capital markets play a constructive role, and effective international norms are established?
● What high-impact career routes are available to work on these problems?
We will focus on 3-4 emerging technologies over the course of the semester. Depending on participant interest, these may include high-risk, high-reward applications of synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and geoengineering.
What the Emerging Tech Policy Network participants will do:
● Actively participate in 1.5 hour weekly discussions, based on curated readings, to understand the most consequential, long-term potential impacts and risks of emerging technology
● Periodically meet speakers, including policymakers, academics, and technology experts, actively working on these issues during weekly sessions to understand career opportunities and critical needs related to navigating these risks
● Join a tight knit network of individuals to help think critically and navigate future opportunities
● Participate in an optional case-study writing capstone project on an application of emerging technology, in partnership with the Technology and Public Purpose (TAPP) Project
Participants are expected to complete weekly readings (approx. 30 minutes / week) and come with their own career questions. Full participation is expected to complete the program. Members will graduate 'With Distinction' if they write a case study, article, or blog post analyzing an emerging technology or reflecting on topics from the program (publication encouraged).
To apply, please fill out this form and email your resume / CV to EmergingTechLeaders@gmail.com with the subject line "Emerging Tech Policy Network Application - FIRST NAME LAST NAME" by February 5th at 11:59 PM.
To apply for a part-time, paid Program Manager position to help organize the network, please see details here. Send a resume and expression of interest to EmergingTechLeaders@gmail.com by February 1st at 11:59 PM.
Funding Support
The Belfer Center occasionally funds HKS students (or officially recognized Harvard student organizations) for research, publications, and events related to the core interests of the Center. These decisions are made on an ad hoc basis and the point of contact for travel stipends, research funding, and event support is karen_ejiofor@hks.harvard.edu.
All applications are accepted through the common application (below) in the fall semester.
Policy Analysis Exercise and Student Papers
These papers and projects are examples of the Policy Analysis Exercise, Second Year Policy Analysis, and independent research by Harvard Kennedy School students whose work was supported, in part, by the Belfer Center.
PAE Travel Funding
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs provides travel/research grants to HKS students concentrating in International and Global Affairs working on their Policy Analysis Exercises through a competitive process.
Projects with connection to Belfer-affiliated faculty or related to the following topics will receive priority: science, technology, environmental policy, diplomacy, the military and international affairs.
The application process and timeline is coordinated with other HKS research centers, and all applications are accepted through the Common Application (found on KNet) in the fall semester. Please contact karen_ejiofor@hks.harvard.edu with questions.
We are committed to connecting students to policy-focused research, fellowship, and funding opportunities in the field of international affairs. External opportunities that may be relevant to our student body will be posted here. Please directly contact the sponsoring organizations for more information.
Council on Foreign Affairs: International Affairs Fellowship in India
The Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) in India, sponsored by Bharti, seeks to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between rising generations of leaders and thinkers in the United States and India. The program provides for one to four mid-career U.S. professionals with a proven record of accomplishment in academia, business, government, and/or journalism to spend three to twelve months conducting research and working in India.
Deadline: February 28, 2019
Study Group: Reimagining Civic Discourse on Social Media
Students and fellows at Harvard and surrounding universities are invited to apply for a spring semester study group with Ash Center Fellow Deepti Doshi, Director of Community Partnerships at Facebook, MC/MPA '12; and Mo Safdari, former Program Manager for Election Integrity at Facebook, MBA/MPP.
Deadline: January 29, 2019
Contacts
For more information, feel free to reach out to the contacts below.
