Harvard Health and Human Rights Director Stepping Down

"Over the past years, FXB has worked on a wide range of programs within the context of human rights, extending across varied projects, including those related to oppression, poverty, and stigma around the world,"

"We believe we can accomplish more, and have greater impact, if we go deeper in a primary area of focus."

"presented a demonizing view of Israel and Israelis."

Mary Bassett will step down as director of Harvard University's François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights on Jan. 9, 2026 and will remain a professor of practice in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. Kari Nadeau will serve as interim director. The center will shift its primary focus to children's health. The FXB Center previously ran a Palestine Program for Health and Human Rights that drew increased scrutiny after Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023 attack and criticism from figures including Larry Summers and Elise Stefanik. A partnership with Birzeit University was not renewed and an April report on antisemitism detailed student complaints about webinars that "presented a demonizing view of Israel and Israelis."

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