Taking leave from the BAE in 1967-68, Harris worked with the Colombian government on land reform as part of the Harvard Advisory Service[3] mission there.

He returned to Australia in mid-1968 to take up the position of Director, BAE, where he was considered to have “contributed to the development of a more professional approach to policy analysis in the BAE.” He also initiated the annual Agricultural Outlook Conference, which continues to this day.

[6] During his time in the public service, Harris contributed to a number of major government inquiries, such as The Committee of Economic Enquiry (Vernon Report, 1965).

[16] After leaving the public service, Harris returned to academic life at the ANU, as Professor of International Relations, specialising in Northeast Asia, particularly China.

[17] Since his retirement in 1996, Harris has continued research on China's foreign policy[18] and global relationships as an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University.