Harvard University continues to grapple with the issue of viewpoint diversity among its faculty, as highlighted in a survey by The Harvard Crimson, which revealed that a substantial portion of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences identifies as liberal or very liberal. The breakdown shows 45 percent of faculty identify as “liberal,” 32 percent as “very liberal,” while only 3 percent align with conservative or very conservative views. This lack of political diversity raises questions about its potential impact on academic research and discourse.
Several social scientists have pointed out that a liberal monoculture could lead to significant mistakes in research. For example, a 2015 study indicated that such a bias had distorted conclusions about prejudice, as research typically focused on biases against certain groups without considering others. Academics in various fields, such as climate policy and public health, have described how this narrow political landscape affects their work—often skewing priorities towards specific ideological angles rather than holistic approaches.
While Harvard has made strides toward diverse viewpoints, the findings indicate the need for broader representation. Despite the predominance of liberal voices, a notable number of faculty members consider themselves to be to the right of “very liberal,” including prominent conservative figures such as legal scholar Adrian Vermeule and economist Greg Mankiw. Furthermore, popular courses in economics and various sciences have consistently been taught by conservative or apolitical instructors.
Despite the inclusion of courses with critical social perspectives, such as Queer Ethnography, these tend to attract smaller enrollments compared to traditional subjects like Cellular Basis of Neuronal Function. One student even developed a “Woke-o-Meter” to assess course descriptions for leftist themes, estimating that these types of courses constitute only a small fraction of the overall curriculum.
While Harvard has room for growth in political and intellectual diversity, the presence of diverse opinions among faculty suggests a path forward where different viewpoints can coexist and enrich academic discourse. Engaging with a spectrum of perspectives may ultimately enhance the university’s mission to foster critical thinking and innovation.