Meet the Spring 2016 IOP Resident Fellows

What does it take to inspire young people to pursue politics and public service? What does a long-time politician need to recharge after decades in office? The IOP Fellows program brings political practitioners to the Harvard IOP to reinvigorate their passion for service and to inspire undergraduate students. This spring, experts in city, state and federal government, the arts, civil rights, justice and social entrepreneurship join Harvard’s Institute of Politics for a semester-long residency.

“We welcome the Spring 2016 IOP Fellows class — a dynamic group of leaders reflecting the powerful impact political engagement can have both inside and outside government” — Director Maggie Williams

Clockwise from top left: Anne Hawley, Christopher Smart, Anurima Bhargava, Karin Agness, Peter Westmacott, Annise Parker

Karin Agness: Founder and president, Network of enlightened Women (NeW); Forbes contributor; former attorney, Wiley Rein LLP

Anurima Bhargava: Chief, Educational Opportunities Section (Civil Rights Division), U.S. Department of Justice (2010–16); director of Education Practice, NAACP Legal Defense Fund (2004–10)

Anne Hawley: Director (1989–2015) and director emerita, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; executive director, Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities (1977–89)

Annise Parker: Mayor, city of Houston, TX (2010–15); city controller (2004–09) and city council member (1998–2003)

Christopher Smart: Special assistant to the President and senior director for international economics, trade and investment, National Security Council and National Economic Council (2013–15); deputy assistant secretary (Europe and Eurasia), U.S. Department of the Treasury (2009–13)

Sir Peter Westmacott: British ambassador to the United States (2012–16); British ambassador to France (2007–12); British ambassador to Turkey (2002–06)

Fellows visit the JFK Library archives (left) and with the famous John Harvard statue in Harvard Yard (right)

This year, the IOP Fellows program celebrates its 50th anniversary. Fellows spend the semester leading a not-for-credit study group; participating in Institute activities; and spending time in the Harvard environment.

“Special thanks to the students and the IOP staff for making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience” — Fall 2015 Fellow Brent Colburn (left, with Fall 2015 Fellow Candy Crowley)

“Special thanks to the students and the IOP staff for making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience”
— Fall 2015 Fellow Brent Colburn (left, with Fall 2015 Fellow Candy Crowley)

Check out 50 years of our former Fellows to see some familiar names, including Matt Lira (Spring 2015), Kristen Soltis Anderson (Fall 2014), Anton Gunn (Fall 2014), Shira T. Center (Spring 2014), Ginny Hunt (Fall 2013), and Keith Richburg (Spring 2013). And dig deep into our archives for political legends including Vernon Jordan ( 1969), Betty Friedan (Fall 1982-Spring 1983), David Gergen (Spring 1984), Geraldine Ferraro (Spring 1988), and Bernie Sanders (Fall 1989).

Interested in being a Fellow? Application information is available here.
Live in the Cambridge area? Attend a study group with a Fellow, they are off-the-record and open to the public.