An Undergraduate Student Organization at Harvard College
Excellence is the Standard.
Established in 1892, the Harvard Debate Council fields competitive teams at the National Debate Tournament and tournaments under the Cross Examination Debate Association, hosts internationally recognized workshops and competitions, and serves as a global ambassador for debate.
7x
NDT Champions
1892
Founded
50+
Years of Workshops and Tournaments
"Competing for the Harvard Debate Council is one of the most intellectually rigorous and rewarding experiences available to students at the College."
- Dr. Tripp Rebrovick '09, Coach of Debate
Generations of Harvard debaters have honed their rhetorical and intellectual skills, going on to careers of success, service, and national prominence. The challenge of public speaking builds sound judgment, self-confidence, and the capacity to make quick decisions under pressure.
What We Do
Competitive Team
NDT Team
At the heart of the Harvard Debate Council is its competitive team, which fields Harvard College students at the National Debate Tournament (NDT) and at major intercollegiate policy debate tournaments throughout the academic year governed by the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA).
National Debate Tournament Record
7
NDT Championships
5
NDT Runner-Up Finishes
74
NDT Speaker Awards
81
NDT Elimination Round Teams
70+
Consecutive NDT Invitations since 1954
5
Rex Copeland Awards
57
First-Round At Large Bids
2026 NDT
HDC at the 2026 NDT
The Harvard Debate Council participated at the 2026 NDT hosted by the University of Houston
Workshops
2026 Summer Workshop registration now open
Applications for residential sessions on Harvard's campus are now being accepted. Five competitive tracks available this summer. Visit hdcsw.org.
2025 NDT
HDC at the 2025 NDT at Gonzaga University
The Harvard Debate Council participated at the 2025 National Debate Tournament hosted by Gonzaga University.
Join
Interested in debating at Harvard?
Current Harvard students can reach the team at harvarddebate.org. Open to all undergraduates regardless of prior experience.
Staff
Aaron Timmons joins as Assistant Director of Strategy
The NSDA Hall of Famer and 2023 World Schools Championship co-coach brings 40+ years of experience to the HDC staff.