"Tech and Innovation in Government" is a Harvard Kennedy School field course where students conduct original user research to solve real problems in government.
Here is what our teams have worked on:
Spring 2020
Innovation in the U.S. Air Force with Kessel Run
Working to help Kessel Run grow and to improve the way U.S. Air Force uses technology. Learn more…
voter turnout in Boston City Elections
In the city of Boston, only one in six registered voters vote in municipal elections. What can the city government do to address this? Learn more…
simplifying Medicare enrollment
Why is the process of enrolling in Medicare so complicated and how can we make it easier for users? Learn more…
VETERANS AFFAIRS DIGITAL EXPERIENCE
How can we improve the Veteran digital experience? Learn more…
IMproving boston restaruant inspections
Small business owners are an important part of Boston’s economy, yet opening a new restaurant is perceived by many to be a hassle. How can we improve this process? Learn more…
Spring 2019
working with boston’s budget
How might we improve public participation in the City budget? Learn more…
census success
How might we improve the experience of Census respondents through improved digital content and services? Learn more…
enforcing boston city codes
How can we redesign our user experience for code enforcement? Learn more…
Unpacking hipaa
How can HHS empower patients to access and use their own medical information? Learn more…
communicating with veterans
How can the VA modernize the way it communicates with Veterans? Learn more…
Spring 2018
Census data for EVERYONE
What are the needs of journalists, community organizers, and everyday Americans -- and how can the Census Bureau make its data more accessible to them? Learn more…
helping New VETERANS TRANSITION
How can the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs provide the right services and products to assist new Veterans with this significant life change? Learn more…
accessing BOSTON PUBLIC RECORDS
How can the City of Boston improve the experience for records requesters and custodians while complying with applicable laws and regulations? Learn more…
supporting VETERAN CAREGIVERs
How can the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs better support Veteran caregivers, including through digital tools and services? Learn more…
improving the BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL family Experience
How can Boston Public Schools improve the customer experience for parents, guardians, and families? Learn more…
Spring 2017
Visiting Veteran cemeteries
How can the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs improve the visitor experience of discovering, locating, and visiting graves in their 135 cemeteries? Learn more…
Keeping boston police safe
How can police officers and detectives in the Gang Unit have the most relevant and recent information before they respond to a specific incident? Learn more…
massachusetts small businesses
How can the Commonwealth of Massachusetts help potential small business owners navigate licensing and permitting requirements for new companies? Learn more…
CITY OF Boston REAL ESTATE TOOL
How can the City of Boston improve the user experience with its Assessing Online tool to make it easier to search for data, file for exemptions, and submit abatement requests? Learn more…
U.s. Treasury SPENDING DATA
How can the U.S. Department of Treasury make sure that its federal spending data is useful to decision makers and private sector innovators? Learn more…
Spring 2016
New york city building SAFETY
How can NYC Department of Buildings develop a predictive analytical tool that can help prevent future accidents? Learn more…
veteran disabiltiy benefits
How can the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs modernize its appeals process for Veterans' disability benefits? Learn more…
Census data
How can the Census Bureau help novice users find the information they need, especially around the topic of income inequality? Learn more…
Boston firefighter safety
How can the City of Boston reduce carcinogenic exposure for firefighters, who are diagnosed with cancer at greater rates than the general population? Learn more…