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.
Recent Work
What’s Happening with the Supreme Court and Abortion Pills?
WAPPP affiliate MaryRose Mazzola, an attorney who teaches at HKS on reproductive rights and public policy, unpacks recent—and upcoming—rulings on mifepristone.
Examining the “Hidden” Financial Costs to Mothers Who Reduce Paid Work Hours
WAPPP fellow Ursina Schaede discusses her research finding that when women learned the extent of “hidden” costs to reducing their paid work hours after becoming mothers, they worked more hours outside the home.
Climate, Debt, and Reproductive Health in India’s Sugarcane Belt
HKS Professor Eliana La Ferrara and PhD student Aditi Bhowmick are researching the compounding harmful impacts of climate change, gender norms, and financial debt on the health of women who work cutting sugarcane in a drought-prone region of India.
From MPP to Gender Health Equity Entrepreneur
WAPPP alum Ira Guha (MPP 2019) aimed to help end ‘period poverty’ with what started as a class project. She patented Asan, an easy-to-use menstrual cup, for distribution to underserved women around the world.
Research and Programs
Work and Gender Equity (WAGE)
Determining data-driven strategies organizations can use to "debias" their systems and create more inclusive workplaces, and amplifying interventions that enhance individuals’ agency in negotiating more gender-equitable work arrangements.
Gender and Politics
Advancing research on representative democracy and equitable participation in governments across the globe, and inspiring and supporting nontraditional candidates to run for public office through our 'Oval Office' training program.
Gender and Conflict
Conducting and sharing research on gender in non-violent and violent social movements and the social and institutional factors influencing the prevalence of gender-based violence.
Gender Action Portal
Collecting and making freely available research evaluating the impact of specific policies, strategies, and organizational practices to advance gender equity.
Research Fellowship Program
Supporting and advancing academic and practitioner-scholars in their gender-related research.
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Publications
When and Why Should We Care About Gender/Sex in Negotiation?
Hannah Riley Bowles
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.