Commentary

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

Trump Administration Appeals Order Restoring $2.7 Billion in Funding to Harvard

The appeal, which had been expected, came two days before the deadline to file.

by Jonathan Shaw

Harvard Magazine’s 2020-2021 Ledecky Undergraduate Fellows

The 2020-2021 Ledecky Undergraduate Fellows

Excerpt from “Higher Education,” by Derek Bok

Derek Bok on curriculum reform

Michael Sandel’s “The Tyranny of Merit” reviewed by Spencer Lenfield

Michael Sandel makes the case against meritocracy.

by Spencer Lee Lenfield

Calhoun-Fall

The rise and fall of Charleston’s John C. Calhoun statue, a monument to white supremacy 

by Peter H. Wood

Letters from our readers

Health care, St. Louis, pioneering astronomer

The View from Mass Hall

President Bacow on Harvard’s history of confronting—and helping conquer—pandemics

by Lawrence S. Bacow

Harvard’s COVID-19 lessons, and new challenges

What Harvard has already learned from the pandemic—and strategic challenges to come

The Undergraduate faces life without handrails

The Undergraduate faces up to a postgraduate life without handrails.

by Julie Chung

Nicholas Burns on diplomacy’s role in fostering U.S. standing in the world

On restoring American leadership through diplomacy

by Nicholas Burns

Letting Go of the “Ideal” Classroom

“The ‘ideal’ classroom never existed anyway, at least not in a perfectly equitable manner,” writes Julie Chung ’20. 

by Julie Chung