Commentary

In-depth perspectives and critical analysis from faculty, editors, and readers on public affairs, higher education, and Harvard’s evolving mission.

An image of a hand drawing digital symbols related to a supply chain over a background of 1s and 0s representing artificial intelligence

How AI Is Reshaping Supply Chains

Harvard Kennedy School lecturer on using AI to strengthen supply chains

by Olivia Farrar

A group photo of the four Harvard undergraduates, including the author, with their project adviser and two local, older mentors

Community-engaged research lessons for students via Harvard’s Mindich Program

The Undergraduate learns about making knowledge mutual.

by Che Applewhaite

An illustration of people engaging in vigorous, animated dialogue

Humanities and democratic discourse belong together

Active citizens are humanists.

by Doris Sommer

Photograph of someone wearing a Juneteenth T-shirt

The Racial Tensions That Roiled Texas

Annette Gordon-Reed on the real history of Texas, and Juneteenth

The author and her two roommates stand in the snow in front of their future home at Harvard.

Harvard seniors and freshmen share Housing Day thoughts

The College’s annual “Housing Day” dramas, conducted online.

by Meena Venkataramanan

7 Ware Street Diverging Ivies

What Ivy institutions’ diverging paths reveal

Portrait photograph of Harvard president Lawrence S. Bacow

The View from Mass Hall

President Bacow on speech on campus

by Lawrence S. Bacow

Letters from our readers

Acupuncture, climate change, renaming

Photograph of the Tucson, Arizona, skyline and downtown taken at sunset.

The Undergraduate balances childhood and maturity

The Undergraduate balances childhood and maturity.

by Meena Venkataramanan

A large dorm room with desk, bed, lamps, and quarantine necessities, including bottled water, masks, and sanitizing supplies.

Back to campus for senior spring under COVID

What’s changed—and what hasn’t

by Meena Venkataramanan

At Home With Harvard: Editors' Favorite Stories of 2020

Our editors choose their favorite stories from the year.