Commentary

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

Harvard football player runs with the ball, pursued by opposing players on the field.

Harvard Football: Villanova 52, Harvard 7

The Crimson’s inaugural playoff appearance is nasty, brutish, and short.

by Dick Friedman

View of Harvard University campus from the Charles River

Why Americans Love to Hate Harvard

The president emeritus on elite universities’ academic accomplishments—and a rising tide of antagonism

by Derek Bok

A Look in the Mirror

Challenges for Harvard governance and leadership

Cambridge 02138

The campus sundered, stem cell research, voting, and more

A conceptual illustration of a student seated in a classroom facing an imagined image of herself in a different environment with flowers and rocks

Is Pedagogy About Us?

Questioning the intellectual rigor of bringing identity into the classroom

by Isabella Cho

Cambridge 02138

Letters about the Middle East war and campus upheavals, the energy transition, legacies, and more

Cambridge 02138

Campus discourse, ethics education, affirmative action

Legacies’ Legacy

Adapting admissions to new socioeconomic and political circumstances

Cambridge 02138

Affirmative action, climate change, undergraduate options

Installation photos of Harvard presidents Lawrence Summers, Drew Gilpin Faust, and Lawrence Bacow

Reading the Tea Leaves

The messages and meanings of Harvard’s presidential installations

Colorful Geometric Illustration

In Defense of Liberal Arts

A semester abroad clarifies the value of the curriculum back home.

by Sofia Andrade