Rob Watson

What’s up Throp Family!? My name is Rob Watson and I’m excited to serve as a Winthrop House Non-Resident Tutor and member of the Senior Common Room (SCR). I previously served the house as a Resident Tutor for six years. I currently serve as Executive Director of the EdRedesign Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and Lecturer on Education at HGSE. My work has focused on themes of civic engagement, community development and educational equity in the US, Latin America and Africa. Prior to joining EdRedesign, I served as a consultant and advisor to organizations that include the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard College, Tufts University, The Social Impact Studio and The Obama Foundation.

I’m originally from Poughkeepsie, New York and have spent time living in Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. I’m really passionate about issues related to  educational equity, economic mobility, poverty alleviation, community development, and civic engagement in the US and around the world. I previously served with the Peace Corps and founded two national youth service programs in Paraguay. I’m also a former First-Gen Low-Income (FGLI) student and an alumnus of Harvard College where I was HoCo Chair for Leverett House and later completed an Ed.M in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Mid-Career MPA at Harvard Kennedy School. I love chatting about the next life-changing place to travel to, youth-driven social justice efforts, serendipity and sports! This year, I'll be organizing a number of house events related to public service and social impact. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if I can be helpful to you in your journey. I'm looking forward to an epic year together in our house community and learning about all of your amazing stories!