The Policy Program includes groups of undergraduates united over a common interest in a particular policy area. Groups meet regularly, research their area of interest, and produce a brief policy proposal of their findings. The program allows undergraduates to take the time to study an issue they are passionate about, explore potential policy solutions, and advocate for those solutions.

Chaired by Lilla Gabrieli | lgabrieli@college.harvard.edu & Cade Palmer | cpalmer@college.harvard.edu

Institute of Politics Collaboration with Massachusetts State Senate Legislative Education Office

For the last four years, the Institute’s Policy Program program has collaborated with the Massachusetts State Senate Legislative Education Office to place undergraduates in Senate or committee offices seeking research assistance on current or future policy issues. Students have assisted with policy research on a diverse range of topics, from identity theft to juvenile justice to court ordered detox programs in the Commonweath.  Recently, students researched the following topics:

• Sexual assault on college campuses
• Bail reform in the Commonwealth
• Education as a civil rights issue
• Highschool dropout prevention and recovery
• Regulation of CT scans and patient diagnostic services
• Role of federal transportation funding in Metropolitan Planning Organizations
• Utilizing technology to innovate at the municipal government level

Policy Papers written by Undergraduate Student Policy Program:

• An Incomplete Dream: Improving Harvard's Support System for Undocumented Undergraduates
• Communication of Collateral Consequences: A Strategic Outreach Plan for the National Inventory of the Collateral Consequences of Conviction
• The Cost-Effectiveness of K-12 School Interventions
• Creating Happiness: Community Support Programs for Massachusetts Foster Children
• Engaging with the Freedom and Justice Party: Protecting National Security Interests in Post-Arab Spring Egypt
• Eliminating the Smoke Screen: Steps to a Smoke-Free Harvard 2012
• Going Green and Making Green: Stimulating Boston’s Green Economy Through Innovative Start Ups
• Increasing the Number of Women in State Legislatures
• Involuntary Commitment for Substance Abuse
• Juvenile Justice in the Commonwealth
• Massachusetts: The State of our Current Health Care System
• National Security in Cooperation
• New England Groundfish Fishery Disaster Report
• Preparing for Personalized Medicine in Massachusetts
• Rethinking Teacher Recruitment at Harvard
• United States – Turkey- Iran: Strategic Options for the Coming Decade
• The War on Mexican Cartels