Communications Program

Program Objectives

Communication matters. In survey after survey, policymakers, planners, and Harvard Kennedy School graduates consistently rank writing and speaking as the skills they use most on the job. The way they present themselves in speeches, meetings, memos, reports, and position papers can often spell the difference between success and failure.

The HKS Communications Program emphasizes the practical skills necessary to inform and engage a diverse audience, stressing sensitivity to the broad range of cultures and ideologies here at HKS and in the wider community. In exploring the interaction between "experts" and the public they serve, the Program aims to build foundations of trust by generating guidelines for more ethical, interactive policy communications.

Program Offerings

The Program is a not-for-credit learning resource offering specialized workshops, special events, and one-on-one consultations during scheduled office hours and by appointment. All students are encouraged to make use of these services.

The HKS Communications Program presents workshops on a broad range of oral and written communication skills including public speaking, memo and report writing, op-ed pieces, speechwriting, press conferences, and cross-cultural communication. Our workshops are listed on this site, and are also announced on the Inside HKS calendar. There will be workshop updates throughout the semester on the Communications Program bulletin board outside L118 and via the Inside HKS daily e-mail.  There is no limit on the number of workshops you may take.

We have used student feedback, our past experience, and information about what we believe to be important communication issues to design our workshops. But if there are other topics you would like covered, please let us know; we will make every effort to respond to your requests.