Hoping to learn more about the Bloomberg Center for Cities?
At the beginning of each academic year, the research centers at Harvard Kennedy School host Open House events to introduce new and returning students to the centers’ initiatives and offerings. The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University Open House brought together many Harvard students to explore the center’s opportunities.
Senior Director for City Support and Student Engagement Carolyn Wood discusses the center’s Open House and how students can get involved.
What do you hope students learned from the Bloomberg Center for Cities Open House?
Urban areas face leadership, management, and governance challenges but also present significant opportunities for problem-solving and innovation. We hope students gained insight into how the Center and Harvard students and alumni are involved in this work. The Open House was set up to show the wide range of opportunities here, and to help you imagine how your skills, research interests, and career goals can come together in the service of local communities.
We want students to see the center as a place where their ideas can make a difference in the effectiveness of city leaders, the capabilities of city government, and the lives of city residents—whether it's for a semester, a summer, or in their careers.
Every year, hundreds of students find ways to explore city government leadership through the Center, whether by working on policy challenges, helping build programs, supporting mayors, or bringing new ideas into city halls. These opportunities not only develop valuable skills for future careers but also allow students to experience the immediate rewards of local problem solving—seeing the difference their work makes in neighborhoods and communities.
What networking opportunities did students have at this event?
Throughout the day, students toured our space, spoke with staff and faculty, learned about our labs and research, and connected with peers who have served as fellows, research assistants, and more. Sixty-seven faculty affiliates from nine Harvard graduate schools are currently supported by the center and 110 academic research and curriculum projects have been supported through center labs. By uniting expertise across Harvard, the Center advances research on urban problem-solving and builds a pipeline of talent to city halls, helping to place students and recent graduates in city government roles.
Students asked about career pathways in city leadership, current research projects, and what real-world impact looks like. Harvard Kennedy School students—and others from across the university’s schools and departments—are drawn to city government because they want to see the tangible results of their public service leadership. That interest was alive in every conversation.
“We want students to see the center as a place where their ideas can make a difference in the effectiveness of city leaders, the capabilities of city government, and the lives of city residents—whether it’s for a semester, a summer, or in their careers.”
Carolyn Wood, Senior Director for City Support and Student Engagement for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, part of the Bloomberg Center for Cities
What resources does the Bloomberg Center for Cities provide?
Cities are where today’s most urgent challenges impact communities—and tomorrow’s most innovative solutions are born. With the majority of the world’s population now living in cities, solving urban problems is not only essential to our collective future, but also one of the most promising avenues for emerging leaders’ meaningful career growth.
We also know that local government is often where problem solving is most immediate and effective. National policies matter, but in city halls you can create opportunities for worthwhile, locally relevant changes at the neighborhood level. There’s something deeply rewarding about making an impact in your own community—living alongside the people whose lives you’re helping to improve.
What advice would you give to students who could not attend the Open House?
There are many ways for students to take advantage of the opportunities we highlighted at the Open House.
Research Assistant positions: paid semester- or year-long roles advancing programs and research
Policy Analysis Exercises (PAE): travel funding for select PAE projects for city clients (for second-year MPP students)
Transition Term Fellowship Program: paid three-week placements in January supporting newly elected U.S. mayors and their teams (in partnership with the Taubman Center for State and Local Government)
Summer Fellowships: paid placements in Bloomberg Harvard cities on projects tied to mayors’ priorities
City Hall Fellowships: two-year, paid positions for emerging leaders in Bloomberg Harvard city halls, helping deepen capacity and address pressing challenges
Events: panels, workshops, and conversations with mayors, city leaders, and experts throughout the year
Are there other ways to stay connected to Bloomberg Center for Cities?
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X for updates on student opportunities, research, news, and events. Bookmark our events calendar and join us in person or via livestream throughout the academic year. We want to hear from you and learn how your interests align with our work.
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