David C. King is Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at The Harvard Kennedy School and Faculty Chair of the Masters in Public Administration program. Professor King chairs Harvard’s Bi-Partisan Program for Newly Elected Members of the U.S. Congress, and he directs the Program for Senior Executives in State & Local Government.
Since joining the Harvard faculty in 1992, Professor King’s courses have focused on Legislatures, Political Parties, and Interest Groups. He is also a member of the core faculty within the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy and serves as the Board Chair for the pro-democracy group, Initiatives for China.
In the wake of the 2000 presidential elections, Professor King directed the Task Force on Election Administration for the National Commission on Election Reform, chaired by former presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. That effort culminated in landmark voting rights legislation signed by President Bush in late 2002. He later oversaw an evaluation and new management structure for the Boston Election Department.
Professor King is the author, co-author, and co-editor of three books, and he has published in a range of journals, including The American Political Science Review, and The Journal of Politics. Professor King’s current research, with James D’Angelo and Brent Ranalli, focuses on the history and consequences of “transparency” reforms in the U.S. Congress.
Executive Education Programs
Senior Executives in State and Local Government
Provides a balance of traditional and hands-on learning experiences to help seasoned public officials meet the changing needs of their constituents and communities.
Upcoming Sessions
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Courses
Building Public Policy and Influence Across Disciplines
API-503MThis module is for two-year MPA students who came to HKS with previous professional training or who are earning a concurrent degree with a partnering university. We explore frameworks for integrating expertise across
The U.S. Congress and Law Making
DPI-120The United States Congress is the "board of directors" for the Federal Government, and it plays the central role in most national policy decisions.
Politics and American Public Policy
DPI-122How do major, transformative changes in public policy take place? Why do some big public policy reforms succeed while others fail or languish for decades?
Academic Journal/Scholarly Articles
Books
Book Chapters
HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series
Research Papers/Reports
Reviews
Commentary
Magazine and Newspaper Articles
Transparent Engagement
Harvard Kennedy School is proud of its energetic involvement in the world. To better understand how to solve public problems by improving policy and leadership, we engage directly with policymakers, public leaders, governments, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses whose activities affect those problems. However, we recognize that such engagement can raise questions about perceived and potential conflicts of interest, so we disclose publicly the key professional activities of our faculty outside the Kennedy School.
Outside Professional Activities For David King
Unpaid Board Chair, NGO: Initiatives for China. Role includes helping founder, and HKS graduate, Jianli Yang, negotiate relationships with State and Local governmental leaders in the United states. Engagement on a twice-a-month basis throughout the academic year. This notice was updated in June 2018, and the relationship with Initiatives for China will presumably continue through AY19.
Unpaid Board Member, NGO: Revels. Role involves monthly board meetings to help this Cambridge-based arts and music organization provide educational services in the community and to produce an annual show in Sanders Theatre every December. This notice was updated in June 2018, and the relationship with Revels will presumably continue through AY19.
Unpaid Advisor, Local Government: Boston Election Board. Periodically review the resumes and backgrounds for the Boston Election Department. Engagement once per quarter throughout the academic year. This notice was updated in June 2018, and the relationship with the Boston Election Board will presumably continue through AY19.
Contracted Speaker, Non-Profit University: Indiana University. Periodically speak to a group of international politicians/bureaucrats for an Executive Education program administered by Indiana University. Engagement one day per academic year. This notice was updated in June 2018, and the relationship with Indiana University will presumably continue through AY19.
Contracted Speaker, For-Profit: Knovva Academy. Periodically speak to a gathering of high school students for a "simulated United Nations" event in Boston. This program is administered by Knovva Academy, a for-profit start-up focusing on integrative skill-building through a UN simulation. Engagement one day per academic year. This notice was updated in June 2018, and the relationship with Knovva Academic will presumably continue through AY19.