Careers & Fellowships

The Ash Center is a global and values-driven community that believes diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. In fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity, we value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.

Fellowship Opportunities

There are no fellowship opportunities available at this time.

Staff Opportunities

Student Opportunities

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Student Leads

Purpose and Goals: This initiative aims to uplift AAPI leaders and organizations working to promote the Ash Center’s mission of advancing excellence and innovation in governance and public policy, while creating equitable and inclusive communities. Our work also supports the Harvard Kennedy School’s mission (improving public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous). To this end, the Ash Center intends to build on significant momentum from a series of successful events since 2021 focused on AAPI politics and affairs that complement the school’s student-led study group organized by the AAPI Caucus. Below is a sample list of recent event links:

• Trump 2.0 Immigration Policy and Asian Americans – Rajawali Institute
• Why AAPI Votes Matter: 2024 Election and Beyond – Rajawali Institute
• AAPI Solidarity in Action: AAPI Communities Shaping Democratic Futures – Rajawali Institute
• Courting the AAPI Vote: How Political Parties Plan to Reach AAPI Voters in the 2022 Elections
• AAPI Solidarity in Action: AAPI Communities Shaping Democratic Futures
• AAPI Economic Prosperity: Building Strong Communities and Thriving Small Businesses Panel Event

Position: To achieve these goals, the Ash Center is looking to hire a part-time Student Lead for AY 2025 (Fall 2025, Spring 2026).

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Responsibilities:

• Plan, Design and Execute 1 event each semester to achieve the outlined ‘Purpose and Goals’ Identify, establish, and maintain relationships with potential panelists
• Create and distribute event agendas and tentative questions to panelists in advance of scheduled events
• Broadcast events to promote engagement from staff, students, faculty, Student Leads, and affiliates
• Work with the Ash Center Communications Team and Events Team to create event-specific content for event promotion and post-event social media content
• Maintain communication and ideas exchange with HKS AAPI Caucus When appropriate, coordinate with event series speakers to informally speak and network with study groups (before or after events)
• When appropriate, coordinate co-sponsorship with other HKS organizations as applicable (especially, other racial affinity student groups at HKS)
• Maintain a working knowledge of other Rajawali, Ash Center, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard University events and initiatives that may align with the outlined ‘Purpose and Goals’
• Participate and contribute to periodic team meetings (in-person, or virtual)
• Brief team members with timely event series updates, informed by timely conversations within AAPI communities

Basic requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• Enrolled in a degree program within the Harvard Kennedy School, with two years of academic affiliation remaining
• Strong writing, project management, and research skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to racial justice and equity

Preferred:

• Demonstrated interest in AAPI-related politics, policies, and affairs
• Experience working with AAPI communities
• Experience with polling and survey design

Pay: $22/ hour

In one combined PDF, please send the following documents to Sophie Koritz (Sophie_koritz@hks.harvard.edu) and Mark Seah (Mark_Seah@hks.harvard.edu) by June 30th to apply for this position:

• Resume
• Cover Letter (one page, 500 words maximum) addressing the following questions:
  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • Do you have professional experience(s) relevant to the job responsibilities listed above?
  • Do you have any suggestions for topics or issues that the Ash Center and Rajawali Foundation Institute should address in relation to this position’s stated purpose and goals?

Summer Research Assistant on U.S. Protest Activity for Prof. Erica Chenoweth

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation seeks returning HKS students for the following summer Research Assistant Position.

As part of the Crowd Counting Consortium, the Nonviolent Action Lab at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, in partnership with the University of Connecticut, maintains the most complete and detailed near-real-time dataset on political protest activity in the United States. Research assistants will create structured data on protest events from news stories and social media posts for this open-access dataset and will assist faculty PIs Prof. Erica Chenoweth (HKS) and Prof. Jeremy Pressman (UConn) and Research Project Manager Dr. Soha Hammam with related research tasks as required. Candidates must demonstrate deep knowledge of data collection and analysis, exceptional time management skills, and willingness to approach problems with creativity and collaboration. We value attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work. Students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences are welcome to apply. The time commitment will be 20 hours per week.

Please send your resume and short statement of interest to soha_hammam@hks.harvard.edu.