The Women and Public Policy Program’s faculty, research fellows, and students are committed to advancing women and gender equity globally. Through rigorous research, we offer gender insights into work, politics, and conflict that have the potential to reduce or eliminate barriers so all people can fulfill their life aspirations unconstrained by gender bias.

Spotlight

 

Behind the Book: The Award-Winning 'Make Work Fair'

Make Work Fair, co‑authored by WAPPP co-director Iris Bohnet and senior fellow Siri Chilazi, was just selected as one of the best business books of 2025 by both the Financial Times and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Hear more about the key ideas in the award-winning book from the authors in their 'Behind the Book' video.

 

Catch Up On Our Online Fall Speaker Series

Our speaker series explores the relationship between work and family and how institutions, policies, and social norms shape our ability to thrive in both. From caregiving to parental leave to workplace flexibility, the seminars feature research on systems that support—or hinder—work and family life.

Watch the Seminar Recordings
 

Research on Self-Ratings & Bias in Performance Reviews

New research on performance reviews by WAPPP co-director Iris Bohnet finds that, compared to other demographic groups, women of color–who tend to give themselves the lowest self-ratings–receive higher performance ratings when their self-evaluations are not shared with their managers.

Read the Research Summary
 

The Hidden Costs of “Helping”: Q&A with Lise Vesterlund

WAPPP fellow Lise Vesterlund, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Economics at the University of Pittsburgh, focuses much of her research on gendered work assignments as a driver of gaps in promotion and compensation. In this Q&A, she shares insights on the gendered nature of "non-promotable" tasks.

Read the Q&A

Research & Programs

Work and Gender Equity (WAGE)

The WAGE research initiative focuses on data-driven strategies organizations can use to "debias" their systems and create more inclusive workplaces, as well as interventions that enhance individuals’ agency in negotiating more gender-equitable work arrangements, including paid and unpaid labor.

WAGE

Gender and Politics

The Gender and Politics initiative aims to advance research on representative democracy and equitable participation in governments across the globe. Our "Oval Office" training program inspires and supports nontraditional candidates to run for public office. 

Gender & Politics

Gender and Conflict

The Gender and Conflict initiative unites faculty, students, and researchers at Harvard Kennedy School and beyond to study gender in non-violent and violent social movements and the social and institutional factors influencing the prevalence of gender-based violence.

Gender & Conflict

Gender Action Portal (GAP)

GAP is an online collection of research evaluating the impact of specific policies, strategies, and organizational practices to advance gender equity.  

GAP

Research Fellowship Program

The fellowship's mission is to support and advance academic and practitioner-scholars in their gender-related research.

Fellowship Program

Other Programs and Initiatives

Explore all the programs, projects, and initiatives at the Women and Public Policy Program.

Other Initiatives
Join our mailing list and get evidence-based strategies to advance gender equity right in your inbox.
Subscribe
News
Gender, Power, and Negotiation
New Law in Massachusetts Promotes Pay Transparency
When 'Warrior Standards' Are a Cover for Sexism
Events
There are no events planned at this time.
Publications
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LAND AND PEOPLE

The Women and Public Policy Program and the Harvard Kennedy School are located on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary unceded homeland of the Massachusett people, the surviving descendants of the first people of Massachusetts and of the Neponset band of the Massachusett. We honor this tradition and work toward a gender equity agenda that addresses the needs of all women, including Indigenous women and Indigenous communities. For more information, please visit our GAP Land Acknowledgement resource page.