Harvard Appoints Gabriella Blum as Interim Radcliffe Dean

The law professor takes the helm as current leader Tomiko Brown-Nagin prepares to depart for Stanford University.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People

Harvard Appoints Gabriella Blum as Interim Radcliffe Dean

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Harvard University has named Gabriella Blum as the interim dean of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. This leadership transition follows the announcement that current dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin will leave the institution to lead Stanford's Graduate School of Education.

Why it matters

The appointment maintains administrative continuity at the institute while university leadership initiates a formal search for a permanent successor. A faculty advisory committee has been tasked with overseeing the selection process for the permanent role.

The university has established a 10-member faculty advisory committee to manage the search for a permanent dean. This leadership change occurs as Tomiko Brown-Nagin concludes an 8-year tenure leading the Radcliffe Institute.

The players

Alan M. Garber

He serves as the President of Harvard University and was responsible for announcing the interim leadership transition.

Gabriella Blum

She is a Harvard Law School faculty member who has been appointed to serve as the interim dean of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute.

Tomiko Brown-Nagin

She is the outgoing dean of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute who is leaving to lead the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University.

John F. Manning

He serves as the Provost of Harvard University and assisted in the announcement of the new interim leadership.

The details

Gabriella Blum brings extensive institutional experience, having served on the faculty advisory committee for the university's presidential search in 2022. She has been a member of the Harvard Law School faculty since 2005 and received a permanent appointment in 2007.

2005: Gabriella Blum joined the Harvard Law School faculty.
2007: Blum received a permanent appointment at the law school.
2022: Blum served on the faculty advisory committee for a presidential search.
October 31, 2026: Tomiko Brown-Nagin departs her position as Radcliffe dean.

Market Landscape

The appointment of an interim dean maintains operational stability for the Harvard Radcliffe Institute during a high-profile leadership transition. This shift mirrors broader trends in academic administration where universities lean on internal faculty veterans to bridge executive gaps.

This leadership change signals an upcoming shift in administrative priorities for the institute as it moves toward a permanent search. Stakeholders and students can expect continued internal oversight from faculty leadership throughout the transition period.

The takeaway

Universities frequently utilize interim appointments from within their existing faculty ranks to ensure continuity during executive searches. This approach allows institutions like Harvard to maintain momentum on research and operational goals while vetting long-term candidates.