Combining studies in policy making, evaluation, social research, and ethics, this course equips students to participate in policy advocacy and design-related activities. Students will learn how they can contribute to positive policy outcomes, and participate in debates regarding power, politics, and complexity.
Students will taught by leading policy academics and industry professionals, the course reflects the latest debates, issues, and approaches to global, national, and local policy making and development.
Students will explore and develop frameworks for issues, such as:
- evidence-based policy and practice
- global governance
- equity
- public sector reform
Graduates work as policymakers, advocates, and managers in human service, government, and non-government organizations, and, increasingly, in the private and corporate sectors.
As a graduate of this program students will be able to:
- Critically analyse the social, political, ethical, institutional, economic and environmental factors that both enable and limit policy change;
- Make use of complex theories, diverse evidence and modes of reasoning, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice in policy and social innovation.
- Demonstrate research literacy in terms of recognizing and accounting for the potential and limitations of research findings and their application to policy problems;
- Value ongoing professional development, diverse stakeholder engagement and collaborative relationships in the design and implementation of policy initiatives.
- Use problem solving skills/methodologies to develop creative responses to contemporary social problems/policy issues;
- Demonstrate well developed written and oral communication skills and confidently construct, debate and critique policy arguments.
- Independently develop and manage a professional project designed to contribute to policy change or social innovation.
