In 2023, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, led by Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum and Mayor Karen Bass, exceeded their goal of rehousing 17,000 people — bringing over 21,000 indoors. ALI Fellows Belinda Juran ‘20 and Paige Warren ‘21 interview Dr. Adams Kellum to explore how innovative programs like Inside Safe and master leasing, fueled by unified government efforts, are transforming the fight against homelessness in Los Angeles.

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As corporate America faces pushback on diversity efforts, the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF) leads the charge for change. President and CEO Alfonso David outlines how reshaping economic opportunities and strengthening democracy for marginalized communities fosters inclusive growth and safeguards democratic values in the face of global challenges.

From empowering independent candidates to safeguarding electoral processes, discover how two Harvard ALI Fellows — Maryfrances Metrick ’17 and Rex VanMiddlesworth ‘23 are tackling vulnerabilities and building resilience in American electoral systems.

Native American drama breathes life into the stories behind policy, illuminating realities of tribal sovereignty and the impact of federal laws on Indigenous lives. Antíkoni exemplifies how theatre can make these issues visible, encouraging audiences to understand, empathize, and carry these insights into conversations about justice and cultural respect.

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Your senator greets you with a smile and makes you feel so important that you contribute to his campaign, only to learn that he doesn’t need your money; he’s a shoo-in for re-election. John Carroll urges people to direct their giving to competitive political races and social missions that serve their local communities.

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The 2024 election will be consequential, and fortunately, it's easier and more important than ever to become involved. Rex VanMiddlesworth presents a number of ways to do so, from working the polls to joining campaigns.

Homelessness in the US persists due to a worsening housing shortage, rising housing costs, increased immigration levels, and the expiration of eviction protections. Jeff Olivet, head of Biden’s US Interagency Council on Homelessness, sees homelessness as a policy choice and highlights its solvability when collective action is taken.

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Cybercrime is a global threat, demanding enhanced international cooperation and protection of human rights. The UN is now negotiating a new cybercrime treaty. Lead US negotiator, Ambassador (Ret.) Deborah McCarthy, argues for the involvement of multi-stakeholders – private sector, civil society, NGOs, and academia – to help member states in crafting and implementing the treaty to more effectively combat global cybercrime while safeguarding freedoms.

Collaboration between academics and government agencies is essential for advancing our understanding of public policy issues. Noelwah Netusil and Marie Walkiewicz describe how to overcome barriers that can hinder these efforts and limit their effectiveness.

As consumers, we often assume products are ethically sourced, but human rights violations persist in transnational corporations' supply chains. Caroline Rees, alongside Professor John Ruggie, championed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, laying the foundation for global legal frameworks to hold corporations accountable for human rights violations throughout their supply chains.

Democracy is under threat in the United States and around the world. Pippa Norris identifies the causes of democratic backsliding worldwide and proposes actionable ways to address these challenges and revitalize democratic governance.

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Approximately 3% of deceased undocumented immigrants donate kidneys, yet only 0.2% receive kidney transplants. Dr. Joel Adler highlights this stark disparity and calls for a reexamination of the organ transplant system, advocating for eligibility based on fairness and medical need.

The surge in New York City's homeless population, exacerbated by the expiration of pandemic-related measures, poses a critical challenge, with numbers reaching unprecedented levels. Christine Quinn urges upholding the "right to shelter," faster transitions to permanent housing for cost savings, and collaboration to address the multifaceted crisis.

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Artificial Intelligence seems to be everywhere, from the agenda of world leaders to the limited series-style boardroom drama at OpenAI. Harvard Fellow, Paulo Carvão, discusses the challenges and importance of fair algorithms to ensure responsible and unbiased AI use.

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If you get pulled over, chances are you won't recall your rights due to the stress of dealing with the police. Anthony J. Mohr proposes a way to provide a rapid review of the dos and don'ts during traffic stops, potentially saving lives.

The agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) exemplifies purposeful, multi-year negotiations where incremental alignment led to peace. Former High Commissioner of Peace during the Santos Presidency, Sergio Jaramillo, shares the highs and lows, along with important lessons from the negotiation process that ultimately ended the armed conflict.

Parking your car has significant social implications that few of us consider. Henry Grabar discusses his latest book, Paved Paradise, where he describes the societal and economic impact of our parking policies, which encompass fines, valets, garages, permits, and more.

Did you know that there exist inexpensive generic drugs and supplements that might be effective as novel treatments for many diseases? Yet, pharmaceutical companies lack financial incentives to develop them. Could the creation of a federal agency designed to fund and oversee such efforts lead to new affordable treatments for unmet medical needs?

Chris Lewis, CEO of Public Knowledge, answers questions from 2019 ALI Fellow Lisa Macpherson about the current public fascination with generative artificial intelligence, the policy solutions we really need for AI, and the regulation for digital technology that’s way overdue.

There is significant concern about threats to democracy and the potential for an increasing move toward authoritarianism around the world. Archon Fung, Director of Harvard’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, is optimistic about the future of democracy and believes there is much individual citizens can do to assure that democracy remains healthy and vital.