The new Center for History and Economics was established at Harvard University and King's College (Cambridge, UK) in 2007 to promote research and education on subjects of importance for historians and economists. Its aim is to provide a forum in which scholars can address some of their common concerns, through the history of economic and social thought, through economic history, and through the application of economic concepts to historical problems. The objective of the Center is to encourage fundamental research in history, economics, and related disciplines. It also encourages the participation of historians and economists in addressing issues of public importance.

In conjunction with its counterpart Centre of History and Economics at King’s College, the Center will undertake research projects and organize workshops, seminars and exchanges of faculty and graduate students. It will build on the current research projects at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Centre for History and Economics to promote the exchange of economic and political ideas. The initial director for the Center will be Emma Rothschild, professor of history at Harvard University, who also co-directs King’s College Centre.