Belfer Center
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is a research, education, and training hub at the Harvard Kennedy School focused on international security and diplomacy, environmental and resource issues, and science and technology policy. In 2021, the Belfer Center was recognized as the world's top university-affiliated think tank for the sixth consecutive year and was designated as a "Center of Excellence" through a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's think tank and civil society program. The center's mission is twofold: (1) to develop policy-relevant knowledge in the most pressing issues of international security, science, technology, environmental policy, and other important areas where international issues intersect, and (2) to cultivate the next generation of leaders in these fields.
Built on the vision of its founder, Paul Doty, the Belfer Center integrates the insights and research of social scientists, natural scientists, engineers, as well as practitioners from government, diplomacy, military, and business. The center pursues its mission through four complementary research programs:
1. The International Security Program addresses the most critical challenges in international security and aims to address the most urgent threats to U.S. national interests.
2. The Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program analyzes the impact of public policy on security, energy efficiency, sustainability, and economic competitiveness.
3. The Environment and Natural Resources Program serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on resource and environmental issues and policy responses.
4. The Diplomacy and International Politics Program supports research and education in international political relations through projects such as the "Future of Diplomacy" project, the "Middle East Initiative," and the "Transatlantic Relations Project."
Dr. Meghan L. O'Sullivan, a global thought leader on the geopolitics of energy, has been appointed as the director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University. She has served as a senior policy advisor to multiple administrations, advising national security officials in both Republican and Democratic governments. Dr. O'Sullivan has received numerous awards for her public service, including the Distinguished Public Service Medal from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Superior Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State (received three times). The Belfer Center strives to enhance policy-relevant knowledge in the fields of international relations, security, technology, science, and energy and the environment, consistently maintaining its position as a top-tier academic think tank in the world.