The Harvard Plan

Jay Bhattacharya, a health economist and director of the NIH, navigates a complex landscape of academia with Alan Garber, his former mentor and Harvard president. They dive into the transformation of their mentor-mentee relationship amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring Bhattacharya's controversial stance against lockdowns and the ensuing public and professional fallout. They also discuss the challenges faced by NIH under political pressures and the future of academic freedom, highlighting the stakes for researchers in an evolving scientific climate.

Ryan Enos, a political scientist at Harvard, shares insights into the aftermath of Trump's inauguration and the initial campus reactions. Kamila Naxerova, a cancer researcher, discusses the halt in federal funding sabotaging her lab's work, while highlighting her immigrant journey. Kit Parker, a colonel and bioengineering professor, dives into the challenges of academic freedom in a conservative environment. Together, they paint a vivid picture of academia's turbulent landscape amid political pressures.

Season One of The Harvard Plan anticipated what could happen to Harvard and academia once the new Trump administration came to power. Season Two picks up where the story left off. Host Ilya Marritz investigates the pressure Harvard's been under since January 2025, through the stories of some of the key players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randall Kennedy, a Harvard Law School professor and author, explores the complex history of race and affirmative action at Harvard. Claudine Gay, the former president, shares her personal story and reflects on her brief tenure. They discuss the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision ending race-based admissions and highlight the political pressures facing universities. The conversation also touches on alumni activism, the evolving definition of diversity, and the growing backlash against higher education.

Aaron Sibarium, a reporter known for his work on college controversies at the Washington Free Beacon, dives into the heated debate surrounding Claudine Gay's recent plagiarism allegations. He shares how a Yale Halloween incident launched his career in campus culture reporting. The discussion highlights the intense scrutiny Gay faced and questions about whether she was merely a 'diversity hire.' Sibarium also explores the dynamics of anonymous sourcing and the media's role in escalating the controversy, revealing the intersection of academic politics and public perception.

Claudine Gay, Harvard's first Black president and a scholar of Black political participation, shares her experiences navigating the turbulent waters of campus protests and congressional scrutiny after her inauguration. Hillary Burns, a higher-education reporter, adds context on the viral student letter and backlash from alumni. The conversation highlights the challenges of leadership during cultural conflicts, Gay's congressional testimony, and the pressures from influential stakeholders at a time of heightened tensions in America.

Universities have become a battlefield in the American culture wars in a way that’s dramatic and new. In the past year, Congress subpoenaed and investigated the inner workings of private colleges for the first time; four ivy league presidents quit their jobs amid mounting pressure and many institutions rolled back their commitments to be welcoming places for all. Meanwhile, President-elect Trump campaigned to “reclaim” universities from the “Marxist maniacs and lunatics.” This series brings all of that into focus by examining the short, troubled tenure of Harvard’s 30th president, Claudine Gay. She started the job two days after the Supreme Court struck down Harvard’s program of race-based affirmative action. By the time Gay resigned, she had been tarred as a symbol of what’s wrong with diversity efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices