About our work
The Institutional Antiracism and Accountability (IARA) Project works at the intersection of academia, policy, and practice to create antiracist change.
As institutions make commitments to racial equity, there’s a growing need for effective and implementable policies and practices. Research plays a crucial role in identifying field-tested solutions.
The Institutional Antiracism and Accountability (IARA) Project researches what works — and doesn’t work — to create antiracist change.
Our mission is to promote antiracism as a core value and institutional norm across sectors. We achieve this by addressing intellectual and practical questions related to antiracism policy, practice, and institutional change. We connect with a community of organizational leaders and advocates putting this research into practice.
Founded and led by Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad, the IARA Project is based at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Current Research
Our research is cross-sector and independent. We critically evaluate policies and practices for antiracist change so that practitioners can implement effective, lasting solutions. We aim to answer: Which structures and strategies are proven to achieve more equitable outcomes for historically marginalized communities? Which are ineffective or even harmful?
This research focuses on the organizational practices and policy changes that effectively create institutional and community health equity.
This project aims to inspire parents, teachers, and school leaders to disrupt racism, sexism, xenophobia, and other harmful biases in early childhood education and curricula.
Global Processes of Justice, Truth-telling, and Healing
This three-year project surveys international examples of truth-telling and societal repair, learning directly from those involved in truth commissions around the world.
IARA has several research projects in earlier stages of development, focused on the corporate, philanthropic and governmental fields.
Race, Research & Policy Portal (RRAPP)
RRAPP is a free, online collection of easy-to-read summaries of the most current and foundational antiracist research. Each summary focuses on solutions at the institutional level, listing clear takeaways in a short format.
Events
Truth and Transformation Conference
This free, annual conference brings together scholars, organizers, DEI professionals, and organizational leaders. Each year, we exchange practical strategies for institutional antiracist change and accountability. Participants walk away with new ideas to apply to their racial equity work.
Speaker Series at the Institute of Politics
The IARA Project partners with the Institute of Politics (IOP) to feature renowned speakers at its John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum, Harvard’s premier arena for political speech, discussion, and debate. Each year, the series explores a new theme intersecting racial equity and institutional transformation.
A community of changemakers
Too often, research stays within the academic field, and its benefits are not realized. The IARA Project facilitates an exchange of ideas and resources among academics, policymakers, practitioners, and advocates in real-time. Our materials and events are free, understandable, and easily accessed online.
Our community represents an even four-way split across the government/public, non-profit, higher education, and private sectors.
Our community by role
Our community by sector
Funding
The IARA Project is supported by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Dean’s Office, the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundation, and the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
Grants fund individual initiatives within our focus areas. This has included the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (supporting the 2023 Healthcare Report), and the Kellogg Foundation (supporting the report on Global Processes of Justice, Truth-telling, and Healing).
The IARA Project also receives donations from a variety of individual supporters.
Get involved
If you can, donate to the IARA Project to support our research.
Meet the IARA team, and be in touch with your ideas for collaboration.
