About the Program

The Communications Program is the home of John F. Kennedy's legacy in political and policy-based communications at Harvard Kennedy School. Our faculty, staff, and consultants share a deep commitment to public service, backed by pathbreaking, real-world contributions to the field of policy communications.

We provide students with tactical and strategic approaches for developing, improving, and executing written, spoken, and digital policy communications skills at the highest level.  In addition to our 30 for-credit courses, we offer 30+ yearly workshops and study groups, and individualized writing and public speaking advice and support.  

HKS Communications Senior Director and Lecturer

Lauren Brodsky
Lauren_brodsky@hks.harvard.edu 
Belfer Building, Room 208

HKS Communications Program Manager

Alison Kommer
alison_kommer@hks.harvard.edu 
Belfer Building, Room 210

Writing Consultants

James Geary (Fall Only)
james_geary@hks.harvard.edu

Austin Bogues (Fall 2 and Spring 1 Only)
austin_bogues@hks.harvard.edu

Jerry Lanson (Spring Only and ONLINE only)
gerald_lanson@hks.harvard.edu

Public Speaking Consultant

Jill Slye
jill_slye@hsdm.harvard.edu 

Program Faculty

Lauren Brodsky Photo

Lauren Brodsky

Lecturer in Public Policy

Candace Bertotti Photo

Candace Bertotti

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Austin Bogues Photo

Austin Bogues

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

James Geary Photo

James Geary

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Nancy Gibbs Photo

Nancy Gibbs

Lombard Director of the Shorenstein Center
Edward R. Murrow Professor of the Practice of Press, Politics and Public Policy

Alex Green Photo

Alex Green

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Jon Haber Photo

Jon Haber

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Gregory Harris Photo

Gregory Harris

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Stephen Krupin Photo

Stephen Krupin

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

MaryRose Mazzola Photo

MaryRose Mazzola

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Hong Qu Photo

Hong Qu

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Lawrence Quartana Photo

Lawrence Quartana

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Jeffrey Seglin Photo

Jeffrey Seglin

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Emeritus

Allison Shapira Photo

Allison Shapira

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Adam Stumacher Photo

Adam Stumacher

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

HKS shield.

Margaret Talev

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

 

Communications Courses, Workshops, & Study Groups

Students in a classroom at HKS. The HKS Communications Program offers both for-credit and not-for-credit options for students, including:

  • Communications courses taught by HKS faculty, offered for credit, that focus on public speaking, writing, and data visualization.
  • Workshops and study groups led by faculty and expert consultants, offered in-person and not for credit, throughout the academic year.

Current students can see a guide to the communications courses and register for workshops and study groups on the HKS Hub. A full description of each course appears on my.harvard.edu.


Consulting Resources

During the academic year, Harvard Kennedy School offers a variety of services to the community:  

  • Writing consultants meet one-on-one with students to help with assignments, editing, and style.
  • A public speaking consultant is available to offer students individual support and assistance for upcoming presentations and speeches.  

Current students can schedule an appointment with a writing or public speaking consultant on the HKS Hub. 
 

Additional Resources

 

How to Write a Policy Memo

This quick “how to” will help you understand the expectations of memo writing, in
terms of style, format and analysis. 

 

How to Write an Op-ed

Learn a proven structure for making a persuasive argument, distill your idea, and connect with your audience.

 

How to Write an Executive Summary

Learning how to write an excellent executive summary is an important part of being an effective and persuasive policy communicator. 
 

 
More resources are available on the Hub
Current students have access to all our resources and can schedule appointments with our consultants on the Hub.
Log into the Hub


Featured Program News

 

How to keep “TLDR” syndrome from killing your policy proposal

Todd Rogers and Lecturer Lauren Brodsky say communicating policy proposals simply and well gives them the best chance to succeed.

 

What it’s Like to be a Speechwriter

Writing for the ear rather than the eye, racing to meet teleprompter deadlines, and recasting lost memories as timeless advice with Stephen Krupin, a speechwriter.

 

The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism.

James Geary spoke to the Gazette about the appeal of short, philosophical phrases, and why memes can be the new aphorisms.


Student Published Work

Many HKS students get their op-eds published in major news outlets, read a few of the most recent pieces below:

HKS Student Policy Review | November 10, 2025
An Unrecorded Crisis in California's Courts Must Be Fixed
Dana Cruz

The Cleveland Plain Dealer | November 9, 2025
How a gunshot wound transformed my life and outlook on service
Patrick D. Nugent

The Sacramento Bee | November 7, 2025
What D.C. can learn from California about ending shutdowns
Dana Cruz

Devex | October 29, 2025
A USAID-funded demographic survey is in peril. The global south can save it.
Pooja Joshi

The Harbus | October 1, 2025
Cross the Bridge
Surbhi Bharadwaj

The Australian | September 24, 2025
Campus Extremism must be Eradicated
Max Yong

View the Student Published Work archives for more.