In our increasingly interconnected world, international research and collaboration play a critical role in addressing our most pressing global issues. At the same time, it is necessary to safeguard the legitimate national security needs of the United States, as well as the intellectual property (IP) generated by its researchers.

The Research Collaborations Advisory Committee (RCAC) was established in 2025 to coordinate University-level review of international research proposals and oversight of major international projects and programs. Chaired by the Offices of the Vice Provost for Research and the Vice Provost of International Affairs, its charge is to identify proposed international activities and collaborations that require University-level review, coordinate the reviews with other institutional and School offices as appropriate, and create guidance for the University community.

For any questions about the RCAC, please contact Shaira Kochubaeva, Assistant Provost for International Affairs, or Ara Tahmassian, Chief Research Compliance Officer.

Committee Members

• Anne Becker (Harvard Medical School), Dean for Clinical and Academic Affairs
• Ara Tahmassian (Office of the President and Provost), Chief Research Compliance Officer
• Carrie Kachoria (Harvard Kennedy School), Senior Director & Interim Executive Director, HKS Research Administration Office
• Frank Keutsch (Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences), Stonington Professor of Engineering and Atmospheric Science, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
• Jeff Lichtman (Faculty of Arts and Sciences), Dean of Science
• John Shaw, co-chair (Office of the President and Provost; Faculty of Arts and Sciences), Vice Provost for Research, Harry C. Dudley Professor of Structural and Economic Geology, Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering
• Jorge Chavarro (Harvard Chan School of Public Health), Dean for Academic Affairs
• Julia Cavanaugh (Harvard Alumni and Development Services), Executive Director
• Julie Faber (Office of the General Counsel), University Attorney and Practice Coordinator
• Kara Haas (Harvard University Office of Federal Relations), Director of Federal Relations
• Mark C. Elliott, co-chair (Office of the President and Provost; Faculty of Arts and Sciences), Vice Provost for International Affairs, Mark Schwartz Professor of Chinese and Inner Asian History
• Shaira Kochubaeva (Office of the President and Provost), Assistant Provost for International Affairs