Ex-New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to join Harvard

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who helped lead her country through a devastating mass shooting, will be joining Harvard University later this year, Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf said Tuesday.

Ardern, a global icon of the left and an inspiration to women around the world, has been appointed to dual fellowships at the Harvard Kennedy School.

At Harvard Law, Ardern will focus on the study of online extremism and at the Kennedy School, she will study building leadership and governance skills.

Ardern was given an honorary doctorate of law in 2022 and received a standing ovation when she delivered a speech at Harvard’s commencement on gun control and democracy. 

Though Ardern will be away, she will continue work on the Christchurch Call, an inter-governmental and tech company pledge to prevent extremist and terrorist content from being spread online.