Research & Ideas

Discover Harvard research, scholarship, and ideas shaping the world—from science and technology to policy, education, and the humanities.

A man with glasses, wearing a black suit and white shirt, smiling against a dark background.

Jason Furman: Capitalism Is Working. It Could Work Better.

On Open to Debate, the Harvard economist defended free market competition—with meaningful government involvement. 

by Schuyler Velasco

Background and links for the participants in our China panel discussion

Background on the faculty members and alumni who discuss contemporary China's rising power—and persistent problems—in the magazine's probing roundtable

This image, provided by a member of the Boston University delegation upon his return from Haiti, shows the wall map sheets printed at Harvard being used for damage assessment surveys.

Harvard Rallies Help for Haiti with Benefit Concert; Plans Memorial Service

Evidence of Harvard maps in use; updates on the situation on the ground; a benefit concert featuring student performers and a memorial service.

Li prepares to dissect a pangolin, from a popular pamphlet, <i>Li Shizhen: Great Scholar of Medical Drugs</i> (1955).

Biographical sketch of Chinese pharmacologist Li Shizhen

Brief life of a pioneering pharmacologist: 1518-1593

by Carla Nappi

Oluwadara Johnson ’10 organized a performing-arts-themed camp for disadvantaged girls last summer in Ibadan, Nigeria. Here, she picks up the girls from a meeting point to bring them to the site of the camp.

Oluwadara Johnson runs a performing-arts-themed camp for girls in Nigeria

In her home city of Ibadan, Nigeria, Oluwadara Johnson ’10 runs a performing-arts-themed camp for disadvantaged girls.

by Elizabeth Gudrais

In Nganyahun village, a Red Cross volunteer and a community leader who work with GMin teach residents how to put up bed nets.

David Sengeh combats malaria by distributing bed nets in rural Sierra Leone

Combating malaria by distributing bed nets in Sierra Leone

by Elizabeth Gudrais

Man joyfully lifts a smiling child in a lively outdoor setting with other children in the background.

Christopher Higgins works at an orphanage in Busia, Uganda

A short-term stint volunteering at an orphanage in Uganda turns into much more.

by Elizabeth Gudrais

In Nairobi’s Kibera slum last August, Elizabeth Nowak ’10 worked with residents to build prototypes of VertiGrow, a vertical planter she designed with classmates in a Harvard course.

Elizabeth Nowak brings vertical agriculture to Nairobi's Kibera slum

Working with local residents to bring vertical agriculture to Nairobi’s Kibera slum

by Elizabeth Gudrais

Children from New Hope orphanage in Busia, Uganda, make their nightly walk to get water for drinking and washing. They handle all the chores themselves—an important part of director Ken Mulago’s strategy for running the orphanage. “We want our children to behave as responsible adults,” he says. “We don’t want to raise them up just to think about themselves.”

Harvard students volunteer in Africa

Students and service at a new frontier

by Elizabeth Gudrais

A woman in a white shirt is pounding rice on a patterned cloth outside.

Grace Ryan films a documentary on mental-health care in Ghana

Grace Ryan ’10 films a documentary on mental-health care, and the debate over reform, in Accra, Ghana.

by Elizabeth Gudrais

The Harvard team: Darryl Finkton ’10, Sangu Delle ’10, and Ndu Okereke ’10

Sangu Delle brings clean water to the village of Agyementi, Ghana

In Agyementi, Ghana, Sangu Delle ’10 brings clean water to a village.

by Elizabeth Gudrais