From Campaign to Classroom

While being a Harvard professor might not bring many benefits in the political realm, Faculty members say their campaign experiences have proven valuable to their academic work.

Cutler often analyzes public proposals in his classes on the economics of health care. While he does not discuss the political maneuvering and negotiations that precede the approval of such policy, he asks his students to evaluate proposals from an objective standpoint.

"As a researcher, campaigns are a wonderful source of ideas and people with different perspectives," Cutler says. "When [professors] think about the issues, one of the important things is to relate theoretical issues to real-world proposals."

Especially for professors whose courses deal directly with public policy and legislation, the insights gained into the political process can translate into benefits in the classroom.

"For professors with an interest in public affairs, there can be enormous benefit to real world experience," Edley says. "It helps cast teaching and research in a different light."

The political world, however, is not for everyone. According to Edley, many academics are not familiar enough with the realities of Washington to become effective policy advisers.

For those advisers, working with political strategists who are consumed by public opinion and political maneuvering can become frustrating.