Commentary

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

A silhouette of a person stands before glowing domes in a red, rocky landscape at sunset.

Getting to Mars (for Real)

Humans have been dreaming of living on the Red Planet for decades. Harvard researchers are on the case.

by Olivia Farrar

A Ray of Light amid Middle East Devastation

Harvard’s Lisa Randall on Israeli and Palestinian scientists working together

by Olivia Farrar

illustration of a man with backpack approaching a open green lawn with holes in the lawn shaped as thought bubbles with University Hall in the distance the the silhouette of protesters on either side of the building

How Political Tension on Campus Creates Risk Aversion

How overheated political attention warps campus life

by Aden Barton

An illustration of generations of computers, from large machines to smartphones and the cloud

Six Decades of Computer Science at Harvard

Reflections on six decades of relations with computers

by Harry R. Lewis

Corita Kent’s a man you can lean on (1966) plays with its medium: screenprints are not reversed in the making, but her image is.

Harvard Professor on Printmaking

An art historian analyzes an overlooked medium.

by Murray Whyte

Duplicate Copies: A note to readers

Rationalizing mailing to ensure service

Disruptions to Harvard's 2023-2024 Academic Year

Diminished academic freedom, endangered disciplines, lost academic focus, and more

Letters from our readers

Climate change, COVID-19, housing inequity

Raising Voices

Saying things unsaid since October 7

Letters from our readers

Leadership crisis, Israel and Gaza, “Undergraduate” Insights

University Hall occupied by student protestors, April 9, 1969

Darker Days

The current disquiets compared to Harvard’s Vietnam-era traumas

by Primus VI