The purpose of the course is to facilitate the development of students' dissertation research ideas and to build community among Harvard Kennedy School doctoral students and faculty. Invited speakers from the Harvard Kennedy School faculty will engage students in conversations about the stages of research development (e.g., generating ideas, choosing research methods, building a research agenda). Students will generate research proposals and present them at a day-long retreat at the end of the semester.

This course is required of all first-year PhD candidates in Public Policy (PPOL). Permission of instructor required for other PhD candidates or special students.