Case Study: The Harvard Radcliffe Institute
The Challenge
The Harvard Radcliffe Institute brings together scholars, scientists, artists, and professionals to tackle complex questions and foster innovative research. Their website needed to effectively showcase this interdisciplinary work, spotlighting fellowships, publications, and events for a broad array of audiences, including academics, donors, and the public. Balancing intellectual depth with an approachable user experience required meticulous planning and coordination among multiple stakeholders.
My role as Product Manager
While I managed budgets, timelines, and resource allocation as a producer, I also carried out essential product management tasks by:
• Gathering requirements from Harvard Radcliffe leadership, fellows, and program coordinators
• Translating these insights into a prioritized product roadmap, ensuring the site features and design aligned with both institutional goals and user needs
• Coordinating iterative feedback loops, incorporating data-driven updates and stakeholder reviews to refine the website’s architecture and content
Planning and execution
To guide development, I split the project into sprints, each dedicated to key areas: fellowship information, events and programming, research publications, and storytelling elements that highlight the Institute’s impact. I worked closely with designers, developers, and content strategists to refine site structure, navigation, and design elements. Frequent stakeholder check-ins and user testing helped ensure a balance between academic rigor and visitor-friendly engagement.
Results
• Improved discoverability: Enhanced navigation and a more intuitive site map allowed both scholars and casual visitors to quickly locate fellowships, research, and event details.
• Elevated brand presentation: A cohesive design, aligned with Harvard’s brand standards, reinforced the Institute’s reputation for excellence and interdisciplinarity.
• Enriched user engagement: A modernized content management system and clear calls to action encouraged users to delve deeper into the Institute’s offerings, boosting event attendance and fellowship inquiries.
Why this project stands out
This initiative required orchestrating a range of voices—from administrative staff to leading academics—while translating academic content into a web experience that resonates with diverse audiences. By combining my producer responsibilities with a product manager’s strategic oversight, I ensured the website not only met Harvard Radcliffe Institute’s functional needs but also told a compelling story of research, collaboration, and innovation.