Please feel free to contact us if your question is not covered here.
When was the Center established?
In 1996, Harvard Law School professor Charles Nesson and Jonathan Zittrain established what was then called the "Center on Law and Technology" at Harvard Law School. The Center grew out of a seminar with Arthur Miller, David Marglin, and Tom Smuts in 1994 on cutting-edge Internet issues. The Center set out "to explore and understand cyberspace, its development, dynamics, norms, standards, and need or lack thereof for laws and sanctions." A gift of $5.4 million in 1997 from the Berkman family--Jack N. and Lillian R. Berkman, and their son Myles--underwrote Nesson's vision. Lawrence Lessig was awarded the Berkman professorship. In 1998, the Center changed its name to the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, and has steadily expanded ever since.
For a more detailed history of the Berkman Klein Center's first decade, see the special tenth anniversary report, Berkman@10, which was produced in 2007.
When did the Berkman Center for Internet & Society become the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society?
On July 5, 2016 the Berkman Center and Harvard Law School announced that Michael R. Klein LL.M. ’67 had made a generous gift to the Berkman Center. In recognition, the Center’s name was changed to the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. More information is available in the announcement.
Is the Berkman Klein Center part of Harvard Law School?
In May 2008, the Berkman Center was elevated to a University-wide Center, also known as Interfaculty Initiative. Until this point, we had been a research center at Harvard Law School. Today, the Berkman Klein Center reports to both the Provost of Harvard University and the Dean at Harvard Law School and is administratively housed at Harvard Law School
Who are the Berkman Klein Directors?
The Board of Directors shapes the Berkman Klein Center’s overall vision and makes significant financial, research, academic, personnel, governance, and other overarching organizational decisions. For a full list of current Board members, please visit the Directors page.
Can the Berkman Klein Center help me obtain admission to Harvard?
The Berkman Klein Center is not associated with admission to any of the academic programs at Harvard University. To learn more about these programs, please visit the admissions pages for each of Harvard's schools.
Can the Berkman Klein Center provide me with a degree in Internet studies or some other type of degree or certificate?
The Berkman Klein Center does not award degrees or offer courses. On occasion, faculty directors, independent of the Berkman Klein Center, may teach executive-education courses or courses for Continuing Legal Education credit in addition to their regular course offerings at the respective schools.
Does the Berkman Klein Center provide legal assistance?
As a general rule, the Berkman Klein Center does not (and cannot) provide legal assistance. However, Harvard Law School students occasionally contribute to cyber-related cases as clinical work, under the supervision of a Berkman Klein Center-affiliated faculty member.
For local area residents in need of legal assistance, we suggest that you visit the website of the Attorney General of Massachusetts.
Does the Berkman Klein Center take policy positions?
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society does not take an institutional position on matters of policy. However, it encourages its faculty, fellows, staff, and community members to express their viewpoints, and invites in-depth conversations on controversial issues. Our goals are to stimulate informed analysis and to catalyze the expression of diverse opinions.
How can I get involved with the Berkman Klein Center?
There are many ways to get involved with the Berkman Klein Center. Details on research and employment opportunities, mailing lists, and more can be found on the Get Involved page.
Can you host me as a visiting researcher for a few weeks to a few months?
The Berkman Klein Center does not currently run any formal application-based programs for people to come and spend short periods of time here to do their own research.
We do have public events programming for which no formal relationship is required for participation. Conversations are far-ranging, and attending them is a great way to meet folks in the Berkman Klein community and learn more about the ideas and goings on around here.
The various libraries at Harvard each have different channels and routes to provide access into them. Information about access into Langdell, the Harvard Law School Library, is here. Information about admissions to Harvard College libraries is here.
I see you have people who are called faculty associates and affiliates. May I be considered for one of these roles?
Faculty associates and affiliates are appointed by invitation from senior staff and faculty directors, though there are no independent application processes for these categories of affiliation. These roles include a range of wonderful people, from long-time collaborators to new friends, and are based around common agendas and aspirations. Like fellowships, each relationship is unique, and the modes of engagement with the Berkman Klein community vary. There are times we will consider a fellowship applicant for one of these roles instead of a fellowship based on ideas, goals, constraints, and opportunities that are communicated through the application process.
Do I have to have an affiliation to engage with the Center?
We are happy to say that no affiliation is required to engage with the Center! There are many different ways to be in dialogue with the Center's community and ideas that require no formal role. Come to a public event! Reach out to folks in the community! Tweet at us! Check out our Get Involved page to learn more.
Who handles press inquiries?
Inquiries are currently being handled by the Center's core staff at press@cyber.harvard.edu. Please include a brief description of your story, your contact info, and your deadline.
How do I contact people affiliated with the Berkman Klein Center?
If you are a member of the press with a query, please send an email with a brief description of your story, your contact info, and your deadline to press@cyber.harvard.edu.
Otherwise, please see our people directory for individual email addresses.
How do I find out about upcoming events?
Information about upcoming events can be found on the Events page.
Can you help me follow up with a conference presenter/speaker?
We are ready to help you follow up with one of our conference presenters/speakers. Simply send an email to hello@cyber.harvard.edu that briefly identifies whom you wish to contact and why.
Where do I find more information about the Berkman Klein Center?
This website is a good resource for information about the Berkman Klein Center, its objectives, and its activities. For more current news about what's happening in the Berkman Klein Community, try following us on Twitter, or check out our Facebook page.
A special tenth anniversary report, Berkman@10: a decade of exploring cyberspace, sharing in its study, and pioneering its development is also an excellent source of information about the first decade of the Center.
You can also sign up to receive emails about Berkman Klein Center news, events, and opportunities.
What is the Berkman Klein Center's privacy policy?
Please see our website privacy policy page.
What are the Berkman Klein Center's funding and support policies?
Please see our funding and support policies page.