A First at Harvard: Cypriot Turkish Rıfat Atun Becomes Dean

Harvard University, located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, appointed Cypriot Turkish scientist Prof. Dr. Rıfat Atun as Dean of Education and Innovation at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The faculty dean, Prof. Dr. Andrea Baccarelli, announced the appointment on July 1, 2026. Atun began his new role on August 1.

AI‑Supported Education Models on the Agenda

Atun will take on the strategic and operational management of a broad educational portfolio ranging from the faculty’s degree‑granting graduate programs to certificate courses, executive education, and professional development workshops. His role will involve developing a multi‑year education strategy, creating new learning models, and integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence into teaching processes. Atun will also continue to oversee the faculty’s lifelong learning program, the Advanced Learning Academy.

The Journey from Gazimağusa to Harvard

Born in a Turkish Cypriot family in Gazimağusa, Atun left for England at age 14 to pursue education. He studied medicine at the University of London on a Commonwealth scholarship. His father, Dr. Ali Atun, after graduating from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, practiced medicine in Gazimağusa; between 1960 and 1963 he served as chief physician of Gazimağusa State Hospital and was responsible for regional health administration.

From Imperial College London to Harvard

Atun worked as a Professor of International Health Management and Chair of the Health Management Group at Imperial College London from 2006 to 2013. During that period he contributed to the development of master’s programs in health management and to educational projects for medical students. The academic also serves as a visiting professor at Imperial College London.

Billions of Dollars in Health Investment Across More Than 120 Countries

From 2008 to 2012, Atun managed the Strategy, Performance and Evaluation unit in the senior management of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. During that role he chaired a panel that oversaw approximately $4 billion in annual health investments in more than 120 countries. He has advised international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the G20 on health system reform.

More Than 500 Scientific Publications

According to Harvard's academic records, Atun has published more than 500 articles in leading scientific journals. His research has appeared in outlets such as The Lancet, Nature Medicine and the New England Journal of Medicine. The academic has served on numerous Lancet Commissions. Clarivate listed him among the world's most cited researchers each year during the 2020‑2025 period. He was also highlighted among leading scientists in Stanford University's and Elsevier's evaluations for 2022‑2025.

A First in Global Health Systems at Harvard

Atun is described as the first academic to receive a tenured professorship in Global Health Systems at Harvard University. He also serves as director of the university's Health Systems Innovation Laboratory. The Turkish Health Institutes Board (TÜSEB) characterized Atun as the first Turkish academic to be appointed to a dean position at Harvard in its statement dated July 10, 2026. However, Harvard's official appointment announcement does not note that the dean role is a first in the university's history.

Call for Preparedness Against New Pandemics

Atun argues that global health systems must be prepared for outbreaks that may arise in the future. Highlighting the link between ecological degradation, human activities, and structural problems in health systems and pandemic risks, the academic stresses the importance of preventive services, early diagnosis, and digital technologies in health policy. In the health technology programs published by Harvard in 2026, the application of artificial intelligence to health services and the safe implementation of new solutions were also addressed.

He Values Being a Role Model for Turkish Cypriot Youth

In an interview that appeared in the Oksijen newspaper and in Cypriot press, Atun said he does not view his role at Harvard merely as a personal achievement. He stated that a Turkish Cypriot academic holding a managerial position at one of the world's leading universities is important for young people. Identifying himself as both Turkish and Turkish Cypriot, Atun explained that he was educated in the United Kingdom, acquired British citizenship, and that living in different countries has shaped his identity.

A New Era in Harvard's Educational Vision

Atun’s role encompasses the education and innovation domain of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He continues to serve as the faculty’s top executive, Andrea Baccarelli. In the new era, the aim is to develop AI‑supported teaching tools, short‑term specialization programs, micro‑competencies, and international educational collaborations. Atun’s career, which began in Cyprus, progressed through academic work in the United Kingdom, and extended to Harvard’s educational management in the United States, is drawing attention in the international health and academic world.