Mary Graham

Photo Credit: Don Perdue

Mary Graham co-directs the Transparency Policy Project at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government with Archon Fung, the School’s academic dean, www.Transparencypolicy.net. Graham’s research focuses on the historic struggle between government openness and secrecy in the United States, and the challenges of the digital age.

Graham’s current book, Presidents’ Secrets: The use and abuse of hidden power, tells the story of the founders’ vision of open government, the growth of uncontrolled secrecy during the Cold War, and the emerging elements of secrecy and openness in the digital age. In an initial report for the Atlantic, “The Information Wars,” after the terrorist attacks of 2001, Graham found both officials and the public confused about ground rules when crises required both secrecy and openness.

Graham has written three earlier books on the politics of public information. In Science magazine in 2013, Graham co-authored an article explaining the current debate about the impact of government openness, “Targeting Transparency,” Science, June 21, 2013. She co-authored with David Weil and Archon Fung Full Disclosure: The Perils and Promise of Transparency (Cambridge University Press, 2007). In Democracy by Disclosure (Brookings/Governance Institute, 2002) and The Morning After Earth Day (Brookings/Governance Institute, 1999), Graham examined the politics and effectiveness of controversial disclosure policies aimed at improving health and safety.

Graham has written for the Atlantic Monthly, the Financial Times, the Boston Globe, Environment magazine, Issues in Science and Technology, and other publications. A selective list of articles, reports, and working papers can be found at www.transparencypolicy.net/publications.

Graham’s work has gained the attention of mainstream media. She appeared in solo interviews on the PBS Newshour to discuss President’s Secrets and on the then McNeil/Lehrer Newshour regarding Full Disclosure. Graham has been a guest on National Public Radio programs including Fresh Air, Here & Now, the Diane Rehm Show, the Kojo Nnamdi Show, and multiple local programs. She participated in an episode of The West Wing Weekly podcast.