Undergraduate debate team that competes at the National Debate Tournament and hosts debate workshops and tournaments for students.
- Joining
- Open membershipFirst-years eligible · No experience needed
- When
- AnytimeNo deadline to join
About
Speech and Debate societies have been present at Harvard for hundreds of years, and we date the HDC’s establishment to 1892 when the first intercollegiate debate with Yale was held.
How to join
- Open membership — Anyone can join: sign up or come to a meeting.
Details
- Status
- Recognized
What they do
- Competing at the National Debate Tournament and CEDA intercollegiate policy debate tournaments
- HDC Online Tournaments
- HDC Consulting
- HDC Summer Workshops for high school students
- Alumni network
- International Debate Workshops
- Harvard National High School Invitational tournament
- Public debates such as the annual Beanpot Debates in Boston
Mission, in their words
To field competitively successful teams at the National Debate Tournament; to host premier, internationally recognized tournaments and workshops; and to serve as an ambassador and promoter of debate at Harvard, in the United States, and around the world.
In the news
- When Harvard’s Clubs Become CompaniesThe Harvard CrimsonMay 25, 2023
Sources
- NDT Team | Harvard Debate CouncilClub website · seen Oct 29, 2026
- About | Harvard Debate CouncilClub website · seen Oct 29, 2026
- Cambridge MA debate program | Harvard Debate CouncilClub website · seen Oct 29, 2026
- HDC International Workshops | Harvard Debate CouncilClub website · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Harvard High School Tournament | Harvard Debate CouncilClub website · seen Sep 30, 2026
- When Harvard’s Clubs Become Companies | The Harvard CrimsonThe Harvard Crimson · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Instagram: @harvarddebatecouncilSocial account · seen Oct 5, 2026
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