From Rapid Pivot to Full Transformation: Creating a Dynamic and Equitable Hybrid Campus at HBS

Harvard Business School’s (HBS) case method requires active dialogue between faculty and students, rapid questions and answers, and deep intellectual and social engagement both in and out of the classroom. For the 2020–21 academic year, HBS rapidly created a dynamic hybrid classroom solution. Following the successful initial implementation, the school took the opportunity for reflection, leveraging student and faculty feedback, experience, and technological innovation to further enhance equity and engagement in our hybrid classrooms as well as create new spaces for the 2021–22 school year. Over the course of this reflection, three key needs emerged: 1. The need for an autonomous, self-service solution for accessing the hybrid classroom technology as the ratio of in-room to remote students changed. 2.The elimination of support pain points and reduction of in-room technology resource load. 3. Operationalization and the adaptation for longer-term and non-academic use of the spaces. Attendees will learn about HBS’s iterative and collaborative process to transform into a fully hybrid campus, including an overview of the consultation process with faculty, the development of a core hybrid team, and applications for other institutions.