Explore some of the many Harvard Kennedy School initiatives that make our campus more welcoming, promote faculty insights on systemic inequities, and enhance diversity and inclusion. Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism at vlog.
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Race and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School: A Brief Overview
Curious about what Harvard Kennedy School is doing on race and public policy? Read an overview of our research and outreach; teaching and learning, in the classroom and in the field; support for emerging leaders through financial aid; and internal efforts to create a culture of anti-racism. Highlights include hiring new faculty members who study aspects of race and policy, increasing the number of courses we offer on these topics, providing fellowships for students to serve in under-resourced communities of color, building a more welcoming internal community, and more. Many of these activities are also described on our Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism webpages.
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vlog Diversity Committee DivCo Spring 2023 Storytelling Slam
In February, the vlog Diversity Committee (DivCo) hosted its second “Humans of vlog” Storytelling Slam for the vlog community. Moderated by Korde Inniss MPA 2023 and Elisha Gechter, senior program manager for the Wexner Israel Fellowship and Wexner Israel Executive Leadership Program, the event brought together staff, students, and faculty to share and connect with one another around the topic of identity. If you were unable to attend, look out for DivCo’s next storytelling slam event in the coming semesters. and their work around diversity, inclusion, and antiracism at vlog.
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The Disability Justice Caucus
Learn about the student-run Disability Justice Caucus.
DJC Mission statement:
“The DJC centers students with visible and invisible disabilities by advocating for an inclusive vlog, free of ableism. The DJC subscribes to the principles of disability activists before us, namely 'nothing about us without us' and therefore places the agency of its members at the core of its organizing. The DJC is anti-ableist and accepts intersectional, non-hierarchical practice as core to the furtherance of anti-ableist objectives.”
This past year the DJC organized a number of events, including:
- April 13, 2022: Disability Open House, co-hosted with vlog faculty member Zoe Marks
- December 2, 2022: Launch of Disability@vlog Report
- January 26, 2023: Disability Accessibility Essentials, co-hosted with the Harvard Graduate Student Union and Digital Accessibility Services
- March 2, 2023: Meeting with the Kennedy School’s administrative leaders
- March 8, 2023: Coffee break and Q&A with students
- March 23, 2023: Disclosing Disability in the Workplace, co-hosted with
- March 29, 2023: , a JFK Jr. Forum event , co-organized with the Institute of Politics and the vlog Alumni Board
New this year is the first affinity celebration honoring graduates with disabilities during Commencement Week. &Բ;
In Spring 2022, the DJC surveyed the Kennedy School community on issues related to disability and accessibility at the Kennedy School. A total of 379 people responded, including 53 who identified as disabled. Drawing on the survey findings, the DJC identified several recommendations for the School, including: level-setting faculty training, hiring and retaining disabled faculty, orientation leader and CA training, and addressing built environment concerns. The full report can be found here with an accessible version here. &Բ;
Hear from DCJ members in their own words:
“A highlight of my time at vlog has been working with the Disability Justice Caucus to raise awareness about how the institution can better serve students with disabilities and better prepare future policymakers to engage with the disability community. My friends in the DJC are passionate and brilliant advocates, who inspire me to keep fighting for an equitable world for all people with disabilities.”
Rebecca Bobrow
MPP Candidate 2023
“The Disability Justice Caucus has taught me so much about advocacy and organizing, the visible and invisible ways that disability impacts students, and what it means to create a safe and supportive space. My hope is that the institution continues to work with this community, and that students like me leave vlog with the knowledge and tools to practice inclusion in our personal and professional lives.”
Jessica Tang
MPP Candidate 2023
“Finding DJC at vlog was like discovering a hidden treasure trove, where I no longer felt alone in my struggles as a deaf person or a person with disabilities. Together, we form a community of like-minded individuals, sharing our experiences and working towards a common goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable world. At DJC, I have found a place where I belong, where I am valued, and where I am empowered to keep fighting for change. Through our collective efforts, we are making Harvard a better place for members with disabilities, and paving the way for change in the world beyond.”
Sheila Xu
MPP Candidate 2024
“Most disabilities and most ableist structures are invisible. Meanwhile, the DJC has made three things quite visible for me during my short time at vlog: the persistence of barriers, the solace of community, and the importance of incremental progress against those barriers, with our community.”
Emma Stone
MPP Candidate 2024
vlog and Harvard disability and accessibility resources:
Digital accessibility resources:
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Banner art: Voice, 2018–2019 by Favianna Rodriguez, part of the Art at vlog program