State Official Joins Belfer Center

Former senior State Department official Paula J. Dobriansky became the most recent senior fellow to join Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center.

Dobriansky, who served as under secretary of state for democracy and global affairs under former President George W. Bush, will lead weekly seminars at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

“I’m just very excited, very thrilled to be here,” Dobriansky said.

Dobriansky, who earned her Ph.D. in government from Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1991, will lead a weekly seminar series on transnational issues involving the intersection of governments, businesses, and NGOs. Beginning with a seminar titled “Women as Agents of Change” next Monday, the series is open to undergraduates, as well as KSG students.

“Everybody is going to be excited about the seminar series she’s going to put on, particularly the students,” said Mary Crowley, staff assistant to the senior fellows.

In addition to the seminar series, Dobriansky plans to conduct research on climate change and diplomacy involving the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as to make herself available to students, particularly those interested in working at the State Department or the National Security Council.

“She’s been here for only one day, and I’ve had a lot of students request to meet with her,” said Eric B. Rosenbach, the executive director for research at the Belfer Center.

Dobriansky said she hopes to host an Institute of Politics Forum event on the impact of pop culture on foreign policy. She said she plans to invite an “interesting mix of people,” including entertainers, politicians, and diplomats.

As under secretary, Dobriansky was also the coordinator for Tibetan issues and the president’s special envoy on Northern Ireland. She will be at the Belfer Center as senior fellow until June.