Dissertation Advisor Declaration

The Dissertation Advisory Declaration form must be signed by March 1 of the G2 year. 
 
The Dissertation Advisor is responsible for overseeing the student's dissertation project, providing a supportive research environment, and mentoring the student. The Dissertation Advisor is chosen by the student and is normally a faculty affiliate of SHBT. Exceptionally, non-affiliated individuals may be approved as Dissertation Advisors on a case-by-case basis. The student will begin the Dissertation Advisory Declaration Form in My.Harvard portal. Students can find instructions here.

To select a dissertation advisor, the Dissertation Declaration Form (DAD form) must be completed in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Student declares dissertation advisor and describes dissertation project
• Selection of a dissertation advisor must then be approved by the director of SHBT with the DAD form and then the Director of Graduate Studies in the Office for Graduate Education
• Dissertation advisor commits to supporting and funding student
• Student and dissertation advisor are required to complete a Conflict of Interest disclosure form
• To avoid conflict of interest, the dissertation advisor cannot be the student’s appointed academic advisor. In the event that an academic advisor becomes the dissertation advisor, a new academic advisor will be found.                                                                                                                                                              

Harvard co-Advisor (New in 2021): All SHBT students who work with an outside Harvard advisor must have a Harvard co-advisor. The policy is not retroactive, i.e. it will be enforced at the time a student submits their DAD form from this point onward. Note that the role of the Harvard co-advisor is to provide administrative and legal oversight and ensure Harvard policies are adhered to. There is no financial responsibility.