Harvard Social Science dean Lawrence Bobo steps down: David Cutler to serve as interim dean through 2027
Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is undergoing a leadership shakeup at a critical moment. Lawrence D. Bobo, Dean of Social Science since 2018, will step down from his role and take a sabbatical during the 2025–26 academic year.
The decision, confirmed in an internal communication by FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra, comes after Bobo took an unplanned leave in spring 2025 due to personal reasons. His departure marks the end of a six-year tenure that blended administrative leadership with moments of sharp debate within the faculty.
In Bobo's absence, noted economist and public policy expert David M. Cutler '87, who stepped in as interim dean earlier this year, will remain in the role for two more academic years.
A formal search to appoint a permanent dean will begin in fall 2026, extending Cutler's interim term through mid-2027.
Budget pressures grow
The timing of this leadership transition is significant. FAS is currently navigating a period of fiscal restraint, triggered in part by federal scrutiny under the Trump administration and broader pressures on university funding. In response, the school has frozen spending on non-essential capital projects and instructed departments to keep budgets flat for fiscal year 2026.
Faculty have been directed to develop contingency plans in the face of anticipated shortfalls, with the Social Science division asked specifically to prepare for a possible 20% cut. As interim dean, Cutler has taken on the difficult task of leading these conversations, becoming the messenger for both structural reform and unpopular decisions.
In March 2025, he announced the removal of senior leadership at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, a move that drew attention both for its administrative implications and for the faculty tensions it reflected.
With deep roots in Harvard's governance, Cutler brings institutional knowledge, policy experience, and academic leadership from prior roles, including his tenure as divisional dean from 2003 to 2008.
His background in health economics and public policy—including roles advising Presidents Clinton and Obama and shaping the Affordable Care Act—has made him a well-regarded figure across multiple schools within Harvard, including the Kennedy School and School of Public Health.
Bobo's tenure and legacy
Lawrence Bobo's leadership of the Social Science division was shaped by both academic progress and internal disagreement. A respected scholar of sociology and African and African American Studies, Bobo focused on reinforcing research excellence and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. His time as dean was marked by an emphasis on racial equity in scholarship, departmental growth, and engagement with undergraduates.
However, his tenure was not without conflict. Bobo drew criticism from faculty peers for suggesting that some forms of academic speech should be subject to institutional limits. Many argued that such proposals threatened Harvard's tradition of academic freedom. Additionally, he opposed efforts to create a faculty senate—a move seen by some as necessary to increase faculty voice in university governance. Bobo maintained that the existing governing structures, particularly the Harvard Corporation, should instead be reformed to include more faculty engagement.
Despite the tensions, Bobo's impact on the division is viewed as substantial. He played a central role in navigating the early phases of post-pandemic academic planning and helped sustain programmatic momentum during a politically charged and financially uncertain period.
As Harvard moves into a new chapter of administrative planning and cost-cutting, the continuation of Cutler's interim leadership is expected to offer both stability and strategic oversight. With the social sciences facing external pressures and internal calls for reform, the next two years will be critical in shaping the future direction of the division—and the type of leadership it will require next.
Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Indian steel PSUs expanding global presence to achieve higher production by 2030
In a bid to explore reserves of key minerals needed for steel making abroad, and eyeing new markets for the commodity as well, three PSUs — Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), and Metallurgical and Engineering Consultants (MECON) — will be opening their offices in Dubai by the end of June. Eventually, Nagpur-headquartered Manganese Ore India Limited ( MOIL ) will also join with a setup in the country, Union steel secretary Sandeep Poundrik told TOI on Sunday. Even though there is enough domestic output of iron ore, the country needs to increase the supplies of coking coal, manganese, limestone, and even some of the critical minerals. The idea is to explore the reserves in other countries to meet the shortfall. Poundrik was in the city to attend the 63rd foundation day of MOIL on Sunday. Manganese is needed for strengthening steel in its manufacturing process. Soon, MOIL chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) AJ SAxena will be visiting Gabon to explore the opportunities for manganese mining in the country. The govt is also eyeing critical minerals in Brazil and Argentina, said the officer. Poundrik said Dubai has been chosen for opening the PSUs' office because a large part of the African market is controlled from there. Among Gulf countries, Oman has a sizeable quantity of limestone reserves, which again is a key input for steel making. With the availability of gas in the Middle-Eastern countries, the govt is also eyeing scope for DRI grade of steel from India, said the officer. Poundrik said the country is currently making 151 million tonnes of steel, with around 9.5 million tonnes being imported. The country is a net importer at present because of China dumping the commodity. A safeguard duty has been imposed, and it is expected to yield results. However, by 2030, India's production is expected to reach 300 million tonnes, with the capacity reaching around 400 million tonnes, he said. On the recent move of the European Union (EU) tightening restrictions on steel imports, Poundrik said India would take time to bring down the carbon imprint. EU nations have to follow the norms under the carbon border adjustment mechanism on this. With predominantly blast furnace technology in India, it would still take time to meet the EU norms. However, India is not much dependent on the EU, and there is a vast global market for its steel, he said. MOIL achieves highest quarterly production MOIL CMD Ajit Kumar Saxena said this quarter the company achieved the highest ever quarterly production at 5 lakh million tonnes in this fiscal. Never before could this level be reached. He was speaking at the company's foundation day function on Sunday. The company also undertook exploration of almost 107km in last fiscal. MOIL's production in the last fiscal stands at over 18 million tonnes, and it is confident of meeting the target of 35 million tonnes by 2030, he said. Later, Poundrik said he was confident that MOIL's contribution to the steel sector would go beyond 50%. He said that MOIL's production is expected to even cross 35 million tonnes, touching over 40 million tonnes by 2030.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Indian steel PSUs expanding global presence to achieve higher production by 2030
Nagpur: In a bid to explore reserves of key minerals needed for steel making abroad, and eyeing new markets for the commodity as well, three PSUs — Steel Authority of India Limited ( ), National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), and Metallurgical and Engineering Consultants (MECON) — will be opening their offices in Dubai by the end of June. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Eventually, Nagpur-headquartered Manganese Ore India Limited (MOIL) will also join with a setup in the country, Union steel secretary Sandeep Poundrik told TOI on Sunday. Even though there is enough domestic output of iron ore, the country needs to increase the supplies of coking coal, manganese, limestone, and even some of the critical minerals. The idea is to explore the reserves in other countries to meet the shortfall. Poundrik was in the city to attend the 63rd foundation day of MOIL on Sunday. Manganese is needed for strengthening steel in its manufacturing process. Soon, MOIL chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) AJ SAxena will be visiting Gabon to explore the opportunities for manganese mining in the country. The govt is also eyeing critical minerals in Brazil and Argentina, said the officer. Poundrik said Dubai has been chosen for opening the PSUs' office because a large part of the African market is controlled from there. Among Gulf countries, Oman has a sizeable quantity of limestone reserves, which again is a key input for steel making. With the availability of gas in the Middle-Eastern countries, the govt is also eyeing scope for DRI grade of steel from India, said the officer. Poundrik said the country is currently making 151 million tonnes of steel, with around 9.5 million tonnes being imported. The country is a net importer at present because of China dumping the commodity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A safeguard duty has been imposed, and it is expected to yield results. However, by 2030, India's production is expected to reach 300 million tonnes, with the capacity reaching around 400 million tonnes, he said. On the recent move of the European Union (EU) tightening restrictions on steel imports, Poundrik said India would take time to bring down the carbon imprint. EU nations have to follow the norms under the carbon border adjustment mechanism on this. With predominantly blast furnace technology in India, it would still take time to meet the EU norms. However, India is not much dependent on the EU, and there is a vast global market for its steel, he said. MOIL achieves highest quarterly production MOIL CMD Ajit Kumar Saxena said this quarter the company achieved the highest ever quarterly production at 5 lakh million tonnes in this fiscal. Never before could this level be reached. He was speaking at the company's foundation day function on Sunday. The company also undertook exploration of almost 107km in last fiscal. MOIL's production in the last fiscal stands at over 18 million tonnes, and it is confident of meeting the target of 35 million tonnes by 2030, he said. Later, Poundrik said he was confident that MOIL's contribution to the steel sector would go beyond 50%. He said that MOIL's production is expected to even cross 35 million tonnes, touching over 40 million tonnes by 2030.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
India-Canada diplomatic reset boosts student confidence
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in NRI 1. Harvard and Trump administration resume talks to resolve ongoing feud Reset in diplomatic relations between India and Canada has restored confidence among Indian students and parents, with most study-abroad platforms expecting a 20-30% increase in admissions in Canadian colleges this latest improvement in bilateral ties comes as a huge relief for students who had to stall their Canada study plans for more than a year. It also marks a blessing for those who had shortlisted the US as their only overseas study option but were forced to consider other destinations due to stricter visa and immigration rules adopted by the Donald Trump administration earlier this Sharma, a Delhi-based student, who had deferred her Fall 2024 offer from the University of Toronto due to visa uncertainty is now busy packing her bags. 'Following the improved bilateral climate, she reactivated her application and is now headed to study Computer Science this Fall,' said Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder, Collegify, a study-abroad platform that helped with the admission.'Since the easing of tensions, we have observed a 31% increase in active Canadian applications for the Fall 2025 intake,' said permit approvals for Canada from India plunged 42% to 131,000 in 2023 from 226,000 in the year before, according to IRCC/Immigration, Refugees And Citizenship Canada/ data. Approvals fell a further 31% in Q1 2025 to 30,640 permits but experts predict a recovery in the coming Group, a study-abroad consulting firm, saw a 10-12% drop in Indian students' interest in Canadian academic institutions due to the diplomatic standoff, said founder Sanjay Laul.'There's a growing sense that it's getting harder to navigate the visa process for the US. Even students with strong academic profiles are facing unpredictability,' said Laul, adding that the current scenario is turning Canada a more attractive destination for Indian visa policies introduced by Canada and tighter measures taken by the Trump government especially on limiting foreign student enrolment had cast a cloud of doubt and uncertainty, according to Atul Verma, co-founder, Masterclass Space.'The signal of improving diplomatic ties between India and Canada comes as a welcome whiff of fresh air,' he current trends are all positive as there is an increase in student confidence and positive sentiment, noted Piyush Kumar, regional director, South Asia, IDP Education.'Canada has consistently remained a preferred destination, and this renewed engagement will contribute positively to students' plans for future intake,' said said IDP continues to see strong interest from Indian students in traditional English-speaking countries like Canada, the US, the UK and Australia.
