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

Spring Seminar Series: Behavioral Science for Inclusive Organizations

WAPPP’s spring seminar series focuses on evidence-based approaches to advancing fairness at work so that everyone can thrive and organizations can excel. This virtual seminar series is led by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and WAPPP co-director, and features expert speakers from across sectors who are aiming to advance equity at work using evidence-based tools.

The seminar series is open to all via Zoom—learn more and register for sessions here.

 

Examining the Barriers to Women's Advancement at Work

WAPPP co-director Iris Bohnet talks with the Harvard Gazette about results of a new study on barriers faced by women in the workplace and how they dovetail with her own research. Certain barriers, like 'broken rungs' in the advancement ladder, are actually more detrimental than the 'glass ceiling.'

Read the Q&A
 

One million users of our Gender Action Portal

As we approach GAP's 10-year anniversary in April, we're thrilled to announce that GAP hit one million users at the end of 2023, signifying the impact of its research translation on practitioners, policymakers, and journalists who we’ve enabled to advance gender equity in their local contexts.

Learn about GAP's Impact
 

Lessons in Public Health Leadership and Policymaking

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, a WAPPP Senior Fellow studying women's leadership in health care, is featured on HKS Policycast discussing her experience as a policymaker and leader as director of the US Centers for Disease Control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the episode
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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

The Gender Action Portal (GAP) serves as an online tool for decision-makers across sectors. The collection of research focuses on experimental approaches—both in the field and in the laboratory—and draws from multiple disciplines, including economics, psychology, and organizational behavior.

GAP

Research Fellowship Program

The mission of the fellowship is to support and advance academic and practitioner-scholars in their gender-related research. By conducting research and engaging with faculty and students at Harvard Kennedy School and beyond, the fellows enrich the intellectual life of the center.

Research Fellowship Program

Other Program and Initiatives

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

Other Research Initiatives
Events
Ending Poverty and Injustice Starts with Gender Justice and Rights for Women Photo
Friday, January 26, 2024 | 12:00PM
Ending Poverty and Injustice Starts with Gender Justice and Rights for Women
Monday, January 29, 2024 | 03:00PM
Using Data to Advance (Gender) Equity Across Continents with Nkiru Balonwu, Mia Perdomo, and Aniela Unguresan
News
When Black Women Work in Whiter Teams, They May Have Worse Job Outcomes
Women Used to Be More Likely to Vote Conservative than Men, But That All Change…
Former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky Discusses Interplay of Public Health and …
Why DEI Training Doesn’t Work—and How to Fix It
Publications
Harvard Kennedy School Logo
Incorporating DEI into Decision-Making
Cross-Boundary Collaborations in Cities: Where to Start
The Patriarchs’ War on Women
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.

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