Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society Welcomes Martha Minow to Board of Directors

December 5, 2018

Cambridge, Massachusetts — Today the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University announced that Martha Minow, the 300th Anniversary University Professor at Harvard University, brings her broad expertise and experience to its Board of Directors. Minow’s work as a scholar and leader strengthens the Board’s interdisciplinary focus and brings invaluable insight and wisdom to the Center’s mission, work, and inclusive community.

“Martha is one of those rare people who can encounter any problem, no matter its complexity or domain, and offer trenchant insights that the rest of us have missed,” said Jonathan Zittrain, Faculty Chair of the Board.

A globally admired scholar and widely respected leader, Minow began teaching at Harvard Law School in 1981 and served as Dean from 2009-2017, in addition to many other outstanding achievements. Minow has dedicated her career to human rights and advocacy for racial and religious minorities, women, children, and persons with disabilities. Her work in constitutional law, criminal justice, inclusion and equality, and news and information quality, among other fields, intertwines with Berkman Klein’s most critical research areas and educational activities, including the ethics and governance of digital technologies.

Martha is one of those rare people who can encounter any problem, no matter its complexity or domain, and offer trenchant insights that the rest of us have missed.

Martha Minow has been a long-time intellectual partner and supporter of the Berkman Klein Center and has made invaluable contributions to many of its programs over the years. She played a pivotal role in the launch of the Digital Problem-Solving Initiative, supported the incubation of the Global Network of Internet & Society Centers and the work on youth and digital media, engaged in many public events, including a recent book talk on pressing political media ecosystems challenges, and taught courses on emerging digital issues together with Berkman Klein faculty and fellows.

“We are so grateful for Martha’s continued thought-leadership and contributions in support of our Center’s mission and vibrant community, and are thrilled to collaborate even more closely together over the years to come as she joins the Board” said Urs Gasser, the Executive Director of the Berkman Klein Center. “Martha is a truly wonderful mentor, a constant source of inspiration and encouragement at Harvard and much beyond. I could not imagine a better partner and addition to our leadership team as we shape the future of the Center and its long-term impact in a challenging world.”

I could not imagine a better partner and addition to our leadership team as we shape the future of the Center and its long-term impact in a challenging world.

“The community of creative thinkers and problem-solvers at the Berkman Klein Center tackle some of the most complex and important issues of our time. Its members have already taught me and others so much. It is an honor and a delight to deepen my involvement at the Center that exemplifies the spirit of rigorous inquiry, collaboration, and imagination,” Minow said.

Minow is the latest addition to the Board of Directors, which shapes the Berkman Klein Center’s overarching vision and direction. The Board determines financial, research, academic, personnel, governance, and other key organizational decisions. Minow joins standing Directors Christopher Bavitz, Yochai Benkler, John Deighton, William “Terry” Fisher, Urs Gasser, Charles Nesson, Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Ruth Okediji, John Palfrey, Jeffrey Schnapp, Margo Seltzer, Stuart Shieber, Rebecca Tushnet, Mark Wu, and Jonathan Zittrain.

The Berkman Klein Center extends its utmost gratitude to Martha Minow for her commitment to this shared undertaking and looks forward to both the small steps and large strides in service to the public good.