# About the Center Embed > **The mission of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs is to fuel pathbreaking social science research that delves deep to examine complex global issues.** The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs is the heart of social science research on international affairs at Harvard University, dedicated to addressing pressing global challenges. As a research accelerator, we assemble a multigenerational and multidisciplinary group of scholars, students, and practitioners to bring their unique perspectives to a wide range of complex topics—including religious conflict, climate change, immigration, and populism. We share our insights via our publications Epicenter and Centerpiece, and at our many public events and conferences. We also recognize that rigorous analysis requires long-term investment—and we are committed to preparing students to become the next generation of scholars who will tackle critical, far-reaching issues impacting our world. More specifically, we fulfill our mission to fuel pathbreaking research in several ways. We: - support programs, projects, and Weatherhead Research Clusters—which provide convening spaces and frameworks for collaboration on topics that represent core faculty research interests sponsor conferences, workshops, and seminars where scholars exchange ideas and learn from each other - host public lectureships and other events on vital issues facing the world today - offer competitive fellowships to global scholars and practitioners - award research funding to Harvard faculty and students As a dynamic research institution, we foster deep-rooted research, a wide perspective, and long-range vision. Our ultimate goal is a world better understood. ## Location The main offices of the Weatherhead Center, along with other research centers and departments, are housed in the [Center for Government and International Studies](https://www.cgis.fas.harvard.edu/) at Harvard University. The complex is designed to promote lively, interdisciplinary exchange among faculty, students, and visitors from around the world. For more information on all three of our buildings and directions, please visit our [Contact Us](/contact_us "Contact Us") page. --- ## Center Leadership [ Read more about Center Director Melani Cammett arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/director) [### Melani Cammett ](/people/melani-claire-cammett) Center Director; Chair, Weatherhead Research Cluster on Identity and Conflict; Faculty Associate (on leave 2025–2026); Harvard Academy Senior Scholar. Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Department of Government, Harvard University. **Research interests**: Conflict; religion and ethnicity; development; and Middle East politics. **Pronouns:** she/her/hers ![Melani Cammett.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-06/cammett_melani.jpg?h=f8f5c50e&itok=Pu-9tRiA) [### Erez Manela ](/people/erez-manela) Acting Center Director (2025–2026); Director, Graduate Student Programs; Executive Committee; Steering Committee; Faculty Associate. Francis Lee Higginson Professor of History, Department of History, Harvard University. **Research interests:** International history; evolution of international society; US foreign relations; modern Middle East; modern East Asia; and international and global health. ![Erez Manela.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-06/manela_erez.JPG?h=916f2765&itok=oiXAfyL8) [### Erin Goodman ](/people/erin-goodman) Executive Director; Executive Committee. ![Erin Goodman.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-06/goodman_erin.jpg?h=5fb5bef2&itok=TGFt0_kJ) Center History ### Former Directors Since its founding in 1958, the Center has had many notable scholars take the helm as faculty directors. [ Past directors arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/about/past-directors) ![Four past directors stand next to each other, smiling.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-08/wcfiadirectors_cover-cropped-square.jpg?itok=EVxEFEd0) ## Center Governance The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs is broadly guided by an Advisory Committee consisting of scholars and practitioners of international affairs, and it is directed on policy issues by an Executive Committee made up of Harvard senior faculty. The Center is also governed by its steering committee consisting of senior faculty who make decisions on faculty grants. Open all sections Close all sections ### Advisory Committee expand\_more The Weatherhead Advisory Committee is a group of eminent persons who assist the Center with strategic direction and fundraising. The group is composed of 15–20 members and represents a combination of people from academia, the private sector, and other professions. The Advisory Committee chair is nominated by the faculty director and approved by the Executive Committee. Committee members may be nominated by the faculty director, represent a wide range of fields, and serve three-year terms (which may be renewed). Determinations about renewal of terms are made by the Advisory Committee chair, in close consultation with the faculty director. The committee is strictly advisory in nature. Meetings usually take place once a year in Cambridge. Subcommittees may be formed on an ad hoc basis to address particular needs. [Meet the Advisory Committee >](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/people?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_peoplecategories12%3A6081) ### Executive Committee expand\_more The Executive Committee oversees the strategic direction, academic plan, and financial sustainability of the Center. This committee is appointed by the director of the Weatherhead Center. Members represent a wide range of disciplines in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the professional schools at Harvard, and serve three-year terms (which may be renewed). Determinations about renewal of terms are made by the faculty director. There are no term limits. The Executive Committee meets twice per semester, and meetings are chaired by the faculty director. Meeting agendas are circulated in advance and meeting minutes are approved by the committee. The executive director is a nonvoting member, and serves as the committee secretary. A meeting quorum is defined as a simple majority of the membership (excluding any members on leave). At its first meeting of the spring semester, the Executive Committee reviews the Center’s budget for the coming fiscal year. Subcommittees may be formed, at the discretion of the faculty director, to oversee policy affairs, the academic affairs of the Center, and fundraising. [Meet the Executive Committee >](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/people?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_peoplecategories12%3A6071) ### Steering Committee expand\_more The Steering Committee, appointed by the faculty director, is a “kitchen cabinet” group that serves as a sounding board and day-to-day consultative group for the director. This committee is composed of the faculty director, 4–6 other Faculty Associates, and the executive director (nonvoting). Meetings occur three times per year, and on an ad hoc basis as needed. Meeting agendas are circulated in advance, and meeting notes are circulated afterward. The committee reviews and makes decisions on all faculty funding requests. Steering Committee meetings are chaired by the faculty director. [Meet the Steering Committee >](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/people?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_peoplecategories12%3A6076) --- ## Weatherhead Values The Weatherhead Center is a diverse community of over 400 students, staff, visiting scholars, and faculty who are dedicated to social science research on international, transnational, global, and comparative issues. The Center is committed to the following community values: 1. **Respect for differences**: We respect and honor the dignity and freedom of expression of each person, regardless of gender identity/expression, race, sexual orientation, political views, national or social origin, religion, personal appearance, disabilities, or other status. 2. **Accountability for unprofessional conduct**: We are responsible—individually and collectively—for the impact of our words and actions on others and on our community. We commit ourselves to creating an environment that is free from harassment, microaggressions, biases, and discrimination. 3. **Honesty, integrity, and transparency**: Each Weatherhead community member commits to act with honesty and integrity in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards. We commit ourselves to building a culture of open communication and transparency. 4. **Pursuit of excellence through collaboration**: We are committed to the highest standards of research, teaching, and learning. As students, staff, visitors, and faculty, we pursue academic excellence through active and thoughtful collaboration. 5. **Empathy and compassion**: We acknowledge multiple challenges in our personal lives, including work/life balance, childcare, eldercare, illness, disabilities, and more. We treat our community members with empathy and compassion, and work together to adapt to changing and uncertain circumstances. --- ## Learn More about the Center [### About the Director ](/director) Melani Cammett, Director, 2021–present Melani Cammett is Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs in the Department of Government and Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Cammett's books include The... ![Melani Cammett](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/wcfia/files/mcammett-favorite.jpg?itok=XrNCCTA5) [### Past Directors ](/about/past-directors) Erez Manela Acting Director, WCFIA, 2022–2023 Erez Manela is Professor of History at Harvard University, where he teaches international history and the history of the United States in the world. He serves as Director of Graduate Programs at Harvard's... ![Dark green angled shapes over an aerial photo of the Knafel Building and the Weatherhead logo in white on top.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-04/Cosponsored%20Event%205.png?h=920929c4&itok=9oUlJQRr) [### In Theory and In Practice: Harvard's Center for International Affairs, 1958–1983 ](/about/theory-and-practice-harvards-center-international-affairs-1958%E2%80%931983) In the fall of 1958, Harvard University inaugurated a new research institution devoted to the study of international relations. The Center for International Affairs (CFIA) has endured for over half a century and ultimately has grown into the largest... ![Image of 1958–1959 CFIA class photo](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/wcfia/files/wcfia_58-59_700px.jpg?itok=67w5ssou)