Steve Jarding has worked on and advised congressional and presidential campaigns for a slew of Democratic candidates over the past 25 years.

“Outside of Washington, D.C., there may not be a better political hotbed in the country,” he said.

The intersection of politics and Hollywood will be the focus of a study group led by Meredith Bagby ’95, who has worked as an author, a journalist and most recently a creative executive with DreamWorks SKG, a film production company. Bagby said that she got her first taste of politics as an undergraduate at the IOP, and that she seeks to turn her generation on to public life through a blend of entertainment and journalism.

Gary Flowers, vice president of programs at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH coalition, will address coalition building. Victor Ashe, the past president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors who served as mayor of Knoxville, Tenn. for 16 years, will focus on state and local politics, and specifically the role of mayors in the post-Sept. 11 era.

In addition to the six resident fellows, five visiting fellows will lead activities with students during a short portion of the semester.

Alistair Campbell, who served as press secretary and communications director for British Prime Minister Tony Blair for nearly a decade, will visit Harvard from April 12 to 14. Campbell resigned last year amidst a firestorm over Britain’s decision to join the war in Iraq.

Bobby Jindal, the former assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, waged an unsuccessful bid for governor of Louisiana last November, and recently launched a bid for Congress in Louisiana. He is scheduled to serve as a fellow from Feb. 23 to March 12.

Kathleen Shanahan, former chief of staff to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney in the 2000 election, will serve as a visiting fellow for the month of March.

Antanas Mockus, former mayor of Bogota, Columbia will serve Feb. 16 to 27.

It is yet to be determined when Bill Luther, former four-term Democratic congressman from Minnesota, will serve.

As part of its student outreach efforts, the IOP will host a forum with the new resident fellows on Weds., Feb. 11, entitled “Why I’m Jazzed About Politics,” after which students will have a chance to meet the fellows. The study groups, which begin on Feb. 16, are open to undergraduates, graduate students and members of the community.