An array of initiatives across Harvard Kennedy School has advanced research, teaching, and field studies to help strengthen all facets of local governance. These projects are now spread through many of the School’s research centers, and they stretch far beyond Greater Boston, across the country, and indeed around the world.
The Harvard Kennedy School Applied Field Lab Experience
For more than 15 years, Professor Linda Bilmes has led the Harvard Kennedy School Applied Field Lab, a course in which Harvard graduate students partner with cities and local governments to tackle some of their most complex financial and operational challenges.
Related Degree program courses
Urban Politics, Planning, and Development
SUP-601
In the face of failures and dysfunction at the national level, the welfare- and democracy-enhancing potential of cities has come into focus in recent years.
Greater Boston Applied Field Lab: Advanced Budgeting, Financial Management and Operations
MLD-412
This course is an experiential-learning lab that will enable students to work on financial and operational challenges with real-world clients.
Related executive education courses
Senior Executives in State and Local Government
Big data makes better cities
Professor Stephen Goldsmith, Director of the Data-Smart City Solutions Project at the Kennedy School’s Ash Center, describes how city and state governments can improve service to citizens by harnessing new technologies.