About
Mathias Risse is the Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights, Global Affairs and Philosophy at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), where he also directs the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights and the Program on the Ethics of Emerging Technologies. He teaches at HKS, Harvard College, and the Harvard Extension School, and is affiliated with the Philosophy Department and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs.
Education & Career: Risse earned his PhD from Princeton University (2000) and previously taught at Yale University. He has held visiting roles at the National University of Singapore, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Leuphana University (Germany). He joined Harvard in 2002 and currently resides in Somerville, MA.
Research Focus: His work bridges political philosophy and technology ethics, addressing global justice, human rights, climate change, and the societal impacts of AI. Key themes include Indigenous philosophies, digital governance, and ethical trade frameworks. Recent books include Political Theory of the Digital Age (2023) and On Trade Justice (2019).
Awards & Leadership: Risse organizes international conferences fostering cross-cultural collaboration, directs the McCloy Fellowship program for German students, and co-hosts the Carr Center’s Justice Matters podcast. His writings on race, protest, and technology ethics have shaped public discourse.
Grants & Outreach: He advises on AI ethics, climate policy, and global governance. Recent projects include analyses of solar geoengineering, Indigenous rights frameworks, and the societal implications of advanced AI systems.
Labs/Teams: Central roles in the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, and interdisciplinary initiatives on emerging technologies.
