The Harvard EdCast

Harvard Graduate School of Education•www.gse.harvard.edu

In the complex world of education, the Harvard EdCast keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and our communities. The EdCast is a weekly podcast about the ideas that shape education, from early learning through college and career. We talk to teachers, researchers, policymakers, and leaders of schools and systems in the US and around the world — looking for positive approaches to the challenges and inequities in education. Through authentic conversation, we work to lower the barriers of education’s complexities so that everyone can understand. The Harvard EdCast is produced by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and hosted by Jill Anderson. The opinions expressed are those of the guest alone, and not the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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Episodes

What It Really Means to Be a Strategic Leader

Strategic leadership may be one of the hardest — and most vital — skills for school leaders to master. Liz City , senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a long-time coach to school and system leaders across the country, says strategic leadership is not innate but a skill that can be learned and strengthened over time . “We're in a context which, over the last five years, has been full of uncertainty and ambiguity,” City says. “I think that makes it harder for people to b...

Jun 11, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 464

Why Invest in Global Education Now

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the statistics on global education — millions of children, especially in low- and middle-income countries, are spending years in school without mastering foundational skills. But as Harvard Lecturer Robert Jenkins reminds us, we can't afford to stay stuck in what we think we know about the learning crisis. Innovation is not just possible — it’s essential, he says. “When you look at the big picture overall globally, it feels daunting, the scale of the challenge,” ...

Jun 02, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 463

What Textbooks Teach Us — And What They Don’t

Texas and California often appear to be worlds apart when it comes to politics and culture, but the education students are getting – as far as their textbooks go, at least – may not be so different. University of Chicago Assistant Professor Anjali Adukia investigated more than 260 textbooks used in both public and religiously affiliated schools in the two states, analyzing their portrayal of race, gender, religion, and historical events. “I think the part that was the most surprising to me is de...

May 14, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 462

The Words We Choose: How Language Shapes Children's Emotional Lives

As a third-grade teacher, Lily Howard Scott noticed how she spoke to students impacted more than just their experience in the classroom. How teachers speak to their students and intentional shifts in language can nurture children’s inner lives, foster self-regulation and reduce perfectionism, she says, and become their inner voice. “The thing about teachers, particularly elementary school teachers, is they have this superpower, which is that they catch kids at a moment where their capacity for n...

Apr 30, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 461

How to Educate for Social Action

To succeed in school, in life, and as contributors to a more equitable society, students must be able to recognize, analyze, and challenge systemic injustices, say Harvard Lecturer Aaliyah El-Amin and Boston College Professor Scott Seider. Through their research, they are examining what it truly means to pursue education for justice in K–12 schools. “The kids who are in classrooms right now are our country's next generation of leaders,” says El-Amin. “They’re the people who are going to help det...

Apr 16, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 460

Cybersecurity: The Greatest Threat Schools Aren’t Ready For

In today’s digital landscape, schools face growing cybersecurity threats that can disrupt learning, compromise sensitive data, and leave administrators scrambling to recover. With cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated, understanding these risks and being prepared is more critical than ever, says Lisa Plaggemier, the executive director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance. “The vast majority of bad things that happen at institutions like schools and municipalities-- again, under-resourced ...

Apr 02, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 459

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