About
Radcliffe

Close up of decorative open iron work on a kiosk that features two interwoven Rs

Decorative ironwork on kiosk outside Fay House in Radcliffe Yard bears a pattern of Radcliffe Rs. Fay House has been at the heart of Radcliffe College, and now the Institute, since its very earliest days. The historic Fay Mansion was purchased in 1885 to provide the first permanent quarters for the growing college. It now houses the offices of the dean, the executive dean, communications, development, and finance. Photo by Kevin Grady

Harvard Radcliffe Institute is one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary research and exploration.

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University—known as Harvard Radcliffe Institute—is one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration. We bring students, scholars, artists, and practitioners together to pursue curiosity-driven research, expand human understanding, and grapple with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.

You can be part of this unique community. Explore and learn more.

Quick Links Our Work History, Mission, and Values Who We Are Alumnae

As president, I have come to appreciate even more the role Radcliffe plays in attracting great scholars to Harvard. A disproportionate number of the most talented faculty we have recruited have begun their careers right here—and for good reason. This community is bold, imaginative, and nimble.

Lawrence S. Bacow President, Harvard University

In the late 19th century, an era in which women were barred from attending Harvard, a group of educators came together to help qualified women scholars to access instruction by Harvard faculty. This effort eventually led to the founding of Radcliffe College.

It was not until 1999 that Radcliffe would officially merge with Harvard University, and today's Harvard Radcliffe Institute would be established.

Although Radcliffe ceased to be a women’s college in 1999, its history and values are alive and well. Indeed, Radcliffe College’s legacy is at the heart of the Institute’s work today.

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute is unique among the many distinguished schools of Harvard: interdisciplinary by design and animated by an institutional legacy of promoting inclusion.

Read the Institute's Founding Mission Explore Radcliffe’s History: From College to Institute

Equity and Opportunity

Sepia toned paper, record of purchase by Andrew Bordman from the widow Martha Daille of a “Negro man slave named Cuffe”

Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery

Artwork design with yellow, red, blue and green components

Women, Gender, and Society

Protester holding a "We The People" Sign marching in Washington DC.

Youth Leadership

Law, Education, and Justice

Nine African-American women posed, standing, full length, with Nannie Burroughs holding banner reading, "Banner State Woman's National Baptist Convention"

Long 19th Amendment

Harvard Radcliffe Institute is an interdisciplinary community of students, scholars, researchers, practitioners, artists, and others committed to pursuing curiosity-driven research, expanding human understanding, and grappling with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.