The Forum is a "podium" for "policy-makers and leaders in the community," Sargent says.

"[It allows them] to speak freely and contribute to public debate."

Why the Kennedy School?

Many politicians view the Kennedy School as a perfect forum for promoting their pet causes. For reporters and politicians alike, the forum's academic character and the prestige of the Harvard name suggest meaningful discourse.

"From our perspective the speeches that are done there...get great coverage down here [in Washington]," Waterman says.

Many political figures also genuinely appreciate the opportunity to receive critical feedback from young and informed attendees.

"When you have an audience of students, you're going to have an un-political speech in the sense that it will be about ideas and policy," Waterman says.

Because the Cambridge crowd has a reputation for questioning accepted wisdom, public figures often decide to come to the Kennedy School when they want to re-open or revitalize a national debate.

A Helping Hand

In addition to promoting appearances by prominent speakers, the Kennedy School's publicity officers work to connect faculty and researchers with real-world news outlets.

The staff of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs seeks to spread the word about studies and books produced by professors at the school.

"Media exposure benefits the Kennedy School by alerting policymakers, other scholars, potential students, alumni and the general public about the work our faculty members do and the school's contribution to public policy issues that they might not otherwise know about," Sargent says.

In addition, the staff at the news office helps KSG affiliates deal with the media. Though professors themselves are responsible for scheduling television appearances, they receive expert advice from the in-house press people at the Kennedy School.

"Faculty members often approach the public affairs office with questions regarding press," she adds, "for example, on how to submit op-eds."

Attracting Students

First and foremost, it is the school's reputation that draws senior policy analysts and the nation's most promising future leaders, insist KSG officials.

But in the world of politics, where image is everything, the preservation of this reputation depends on continued visibility in national news outlets and in policy-making circles.

"Media exposure supports...[our] mission," Sargent says.