Read the latest news, commentary, and analysis from the Ash Center.
Podcast
Archon Fung and Stephen Richer are joined by Jennifer Lemmerman, Chief Policy Officer at Project Bread, to discuss the impact the lapse in SNAP funding is having on individuals and families.
Newest
Video
Former USAID administrator Samantha Power says the gutting of the agency, with deep funding cuts to life-saving programs will have “devastating” consequences, potentially causing millions of deaths globally. This video originally aired on CNN.
Podcast
A majority of people agree that democracy is worth fighting for, but when asked if democracy is at risk, opinions begin to differ. Are we all operating under the same idea of what a democracy truly is?
Podcast
From rank-choice voting to reconciliation, American democracy is headline news. Let’s talk about it.
Feature
This list of resources, curated by the GETTING-Plurality Research Network at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, highlights emerging ideas at the intersection of technology and democracy.
Feature
On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As this milestone approaches, the team at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation has curated a collection of books, podcasts, and events that explore the meaning and impact of the declaration from 1776 to today. Join us in revisiting the document itself, reflecting on its legacy, and considering the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic ideals.
Feature
In a warning to lawmakers, cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sharply criticizing the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) handling of federal data. Describing DOGE’s security protocols as dangerously inadequate, Schneier warned that the agency’s practices have put sensitive government and citizen information at risk of exploitation by foreign adversaries and criminal networks.
Podcast
Over the past five years, Untying Knots has served as a vital platform for conversations about racial justice, systemic oppression, and community-driven change. Co-hosted by Erica Licht and Nikhil Raghuveera, the podcast — born from a Harvard Kennedy School course in 2020 — explored how people and institutions are working to dismantle entrenched systems of racial inequity while building new frameworks rooted in justice and accountability. As the podcast concludes, Licht and Raghuveera reflect on its origins, evolution, and enduring impact, offering insights into the lessons learned and the powerful voices that shaped its journey.
Commentary
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the size and scale of anti-Trump protests this year have dwarfed those in 2017, and they have been extraordinarily peaceful. This article was originally published in Waging Nonviolence.
Feature
Caren Yap, MPP 25, drew on her immigrant background and Nevada roots to bring a powerful commitment to equity and community engagement to the Harvard Kennedy School, where she challenged institutional norms, built bridges between regions, and emerged more resolved than ever to serve and uplift Las Vegas.