Survey Results

In 2018, the University published the report of its Presidential Task Force on Inclusion and Belonging, which called for periodic climate surveys to provide “a more comprehensive and intentional institutional research infrastructure to support strategic action on behalf of inclusive excellence.”

In response to this recommendation, in the spring of 2019, Harvard administered a pilot pulse survey. The survey represented the first time in Harvard’s history that all members of the University community were invited to share perceptions about campus culture. The survey was designed as a first step to help inform priorities, practices, and policies that were tailored to the needs of the community. 

The University made a number of investments in improving the culture of belonging at Harvard in response to the 2019 pilot survey, including adding new staff supporting the campus community, enhancing program offerings, and creating spaces for community connections. The University also committed to periodic, high-level reassessment of the campus climate. 

2024 Survey Results 

In the fall of 2024, Harvard administered a new version of the Pulse Survey to the entire campus community. The survey is again intended to inform programs, practices, and policies, as well as to help gauge progress on goals and aspirations for enhancing community at Harvard. It is positioned to be both foundational and complementary to additional inclusion and belonging data collection efforts in schools, departments, and other parts of the community.  

The Pulse Survey is designed to be:  

  • High-level – it covers broad concepts around campus community;
  • University-wide – it complements surveys within schools and departments. It is important to have smaller-scale surveys that are tailored to the specifics of their audience as well as a broader, community-wide overview; and
  • Informative – university, schools, units, and leaders across campus may use Pulse data to inform their approach to building community and undergird further data-gathering (including surveys and other efforts to obtain both quantitative and qualitative information). 

With certain questions repeated from the 2019 pilot survey, the 2024 survey allows the University some options to examine changes in perceptions and experiences as reported by community members in 2019.