Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy

Overview

During this Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy MPhil/PhD programme from University College London (UCL) students investigate and experiment with the ways science and engineering knowledge shapes decision-making and helps to address today's major global challenges.

STEaPP's research spans STEM and social sciences and is concerned with the role of STEM knowledge in public decision-making at the local, national and international levels. Doctoral students typically work across two UCL departments, with a public policy focus at STEaPP and an applied methodological focus in a sister department within UCL BEAMS (the UCL Faculties of the Built Environment, Engineering Sciences, and Mathematical & Physical Sciences).

The programme consists of six core training elements (modules from STEaPP), two specialisation training elements (modules from STEaPP or a sister department with UCL BEAMS), a pilot project and a dissertation.

The PhD is a supervised research degree in which candidates carry out research under the guidance of two supervisors (one from STEaPP and one from a sister department within UCL BEAMS). The dissertation is between 60,000 and 100,000 words in length.

Careers

The PhD aims to foster world-class interdisciplinary researchers. Graduates may choose to concentrate on an academic career or are likely to be attractive to employers as scientific advisers.

Employability

Students acquire a body of knowledge on the role of science, engineering and technology in public policy decision-making, together with solid training in research methods and designing and executing research initiatives which are relevant and usable for external partners. This skill-set is ideal for a career path either as an academic or a senior-level scientific adviser.