Shaping smart policies that harness markets to serve the public good
The Business and Government Policy (BGP) concentration prepares students to navigate and lead at the intersection of the public and private sectors. Grounded in rigorous economics, political science, and management training, the concentration equips future leaders to design and implement policies that harness markets for the public good. Students study regulation, corporate governance, innovation policy, public-private partnerships, and the role of business in addressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and technological disruption.
Through analytical coursework, real-world case studies, experiential learning, and engagement with practitioners from business, government, and civil society, BGP students graduate ready to lead in complex, cross-sector environments—whether as policymakers, social entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, or advisors aligning business incentives with societal outcomes.
BGP Courses & Faculty
BGP Concentration Requirements*
BGP concentrators must complete two required courses and four credits from the list below.
Required
| Course Number | Course Title | Instructors |
|---|---|---|
| BGP-100 | The Business-Government Relationship in the United States | Roger Porter |
| BGP-150Y | Seminar: Business and Government | John Haigh |
Electives (4 credits required)
*Concentration requirements are subject to change.
Joseph Aldy
Luis Armona
Christopher Norio Avery
Iris Bohnet
Jonathan Borck
Gregory Bruich
Shawn Cole
Akash Deep
Pınar Doğan
Karen Dynan
Douglas Elmendorf
Jason Furman
Gita Gopinath
John Haigh
Deborah Hughes Hallett
Nandita Krishnaswamy
Roger Porter
Carmen Reinhart
Samuel Richardson
Wolfram Schlenker
Hal Scott
Robert Stavins
James H. Stock
Fatema Sumar
Charles Taylor
David Wood
Richard Zeckhauser
Harvard Kennedy School faculty disseminate their research in working publications and papers that contribute to public knowledge and fuel policy innovation. This list features recent BGP faculty publications, including journal articles, books, edited volumes, research papers, and public testimony.
Featured BGP Student Story
On the frontlines of conservation: Bhuvan Ravindran MPP 2026 on why the Arctic matters
Long before attending Harvard Kennedy School, Bhuvan Ravindran MPP 2026 was inspired to build a world where people and wildlife thrive together.