Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government

Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government
Name	Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government
Formation	2004
Type	Research center
Headquarters	John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Location	Cambridge, Massachusetts
Key people	John Haigh (Co-Director), Robert Lawrence (Co-Director)
Website	https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/mrcbg

Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government is a research center at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Founded in 2004, it serves as a nexus for rigorous, nonpartisan scholarship on the complex interactions between the public and private sectors. The center's work is dedicated to developing actionable insights and training leaders to address critical challenges in economic policy, corporate governance, and global markets.

History and establishment

The center was established in 2004 through a generous gift from Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani and Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani, prominent figures in the global energy and investment sectors. Its creation was formally announced by then-Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Joseph S. Nye Jr., who emphasized the growing need for academic institutions to bridge the gap between market forces and public policy. The founding was part of a broader initiative at Harvard University to strengthen interdisciplinary work on governance and economic competitiveness. The center built upon the legacy of earlier programs at the Kennedy School, including the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, integrating and expanding their scope to address 21st-century challenges like globalization and technological disruption.

Mission and focus areas

The core mission is to advance the public interest by improving the relationship between business and government. Its research and activities are organized around several key focus areas, including corporate governance, regulatory policy, and sustainable economic development. A significant emphasis is placed on the role of financial markets, the impact of technological innovation, and the governance of global supply chains. The center also prioritizes issues related to climate change and energy policy, examining how public-private collaboration can drive the transition to a low-carbon economy. This work often intersects with other Harvard entities like the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Law School.

Academic programs and initiatives

The center runs several flagship academic programs designed for emerging and established leaders. A cornerstone is the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government Fellows Program, which brings practitioners from government, business, and non-governmental organizations to Harvard University for a year of research and dialogue. It also hosts executive education seminars, public lecture series, and case study development in partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School Case Program. The center actively involves students from the Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy degrees, offering research assistantships and sponsoring student-led conferences on topics like impact investing and digital governance.

Research and publications

Research is disseminated through a variety of publications, including working papers, policy briefs, and books. Scholars affiliated with the center, such as John Haigh and Robert Lawrence, frequently publish analyses on trade policy, antitrust regulation, and corporate accountability. The center also produces in-depth case studies used in classrooms across Harvard University and other institutions. Its research output often informs debates in venues like the World Economic Forum, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Collaborative projects frequently involve partners like the Brookings Institution and the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Leadership and governance

The center is led by two faculty co-directors, typically senior professors from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. As of its last reporting, the co-directors were John Haigh, a lecturer in public policy, and Robert Lawrence, the Albert L. Williams Professor of International Trade and Investment. An advisory board composed of leaders from academia, industry, and former public service, such as Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani and other distinguished alumni, provides strategic guidance. The center's operations are integrated within the administrative framework of the Kennedy School, under the overall dean, currently Douglas Elmendorf.

Affiliations and partnerships

The center maintains deep institutional ties within Harvard University, collaborating closely with the Harvard Business School, the Harvard Law School, and the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Externally, it partners with a global network of think tanks, governmental agencies, and multinational corporations. These partnerships facilitate joint research, guest lectures, and practitioner exchanges. The center's work is often presented at major policy conferences, including those hosted by the Aspen Institute and the World Bank, extending its influence into international policy circles.

Category:Research institutes in Massachusetts Category:Harvard University Category:John F. Kennedy School of Government Category:Organizations established in 2004