My academic journey in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Digital Technologies and Policy at University College London has been truly enriching. The programme has equipped me with robust analytical skills to understand cutting-edge technologies and develop evidence-based policies that address their societal implications.

The curriculum was thoughtfully structured to provide hands-on experience in policy development across multiple domains. The simulated multilateral negotiations were particularly valuable, where we represented different nations to address urgent technological and social challenges. These exercises strengthened our ability to analyse complex issues efficiently, identify key priorities, and develop practical policy solutions under time constraints while honing our diplomatic and negotiation skills.

The programme’s emphasis on real-world application culminated in our group project, where we collaborated with industry partners to address contemporary challenges. Through this experience, I developed essential skills in teamwork, professional communication, and data analysis. Our research on IoT privacy frameworks with the Information Commissioner’s Office across China, the UK, and Japan led to a presentation at the PETRAS conference in London, where engaging with international academics helped refine our policy recommendations.

A significant achievement during my MPA studies was publishing an op-ed in the AI&Society journal, developed under Dr. Jean-Christophe Mauduit’s guidance. The piece examined the implications of police use of facial recognition technology in the UK, focusing on transparency and bias concerns. Additionally, my analysis of Weibo’s role in China’s digital landscape, written for another module focusing on technology complex, supported my successful application to the University of Cambridge’s MPhil programme.

The supportive environment at UCL really enhanced the academic experience. The guidance from faculty members and collaboration with fellow international students created a constructive learning atmosphere that facilitated both professional and personal growth. It’s somewhere I would always love to return to share life updates and exchange ideas, both academic and personal.

For those keen to shape the future of technology policy and make a meaningful impact on society, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP). Whether you’re fascinated by emerging technologies technically/ethically, deeply committed to sustainability, or passionate about bridging the gap between innovation and public good, STEaPP offers brilliant pathways to help you achieve your aspirations.

Author: Jinqian Li, STEaPP Alumni. MPA Digital Technologies and Policy 2022-2023.

By Pablo Costa and Amy Lourenco

Many of our UCL STEaPP MPA students are hoping to make a career change to work for a range of policy/strategy focussed organisations all over the world after a successful career in another field. As MPA students approach the end of their courses we wanted to share a few tips for those who are embarking on this career change.

Photo by Brendan Church on Unsplash

You are not alone

You might be career-changing, but you are certainly not the first nor the last to do so. In fact, it is becoming more and more common.  According to an Aviva 2021 report, the number of people in the UK planning a career change has increased from 53% to 60% since July 2020. This same report states that over UK 700,000 workers plan to switch to a role that helps others; much like the reason why many MPA students choose to find roles within the public sector. Making a career shift can be challenging but remember you are not alone in this journey and support is available up to 3 years after graduation from the UCL Careers team.

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Kateryna Tsybenko is an MPA candidate in Science, Engineering and Public Policy

Recently, the Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Krykliy announced that Ukraine plans to replace all public transport with electric transport by 2030. It will take place within the framework of the implementation of the National Transport Strategy.

I currently study in the UK, and I researched the UK’s urban mobility strategy; and in this blog, I want to share urban mobility trends in this country. The key in it is the emphasis on inclusiveness, encouraging citizens to use public transport instead of individual transport, ride-sharing, walking and cycling, and broad support for all these means of transportation, including through open data.

Anne Burgess / Integrated Public Transport

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Alex Shepherd (@palexshepherd) is a nationally recognised subject matter expert on disinformation. He has delivered talks on the subject at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and has actively engaged with representatives from the UK government’s Sub-Committee on Disinformation. He is currently a senior AI researcher at Oxford Brookes University and a Digital Technologies and Policy MPA candidate at UCL STEaPP. 

Disinformation is one of the most important issues we face today, not only due to the massive social impact and disruption it creates globally, but also due to its exceptionally robust nature. This blog post, inspired by the tweetstorm “Some thoughts on disinformation”, attempts to explain disinformation’s robustness through the lens of game theory and analysis of technology trends.

The concept of infinite games and finite games was popularised by Simon Sinek in his book, The Infinite Game, and at a keynote speech he delivered at a New York Times event. The book was influenced, in part, by James P. Carse’s book Finite and Infinite Games, which in turn was influenced by basic game theory.

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Fredrik Johan Skippervold is a UCL MPA Graduate within Digital Technologies and Policy 18/19. He holds a Bachelor of Law with Spanish and is currently a researcher at The PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity.

Study location

School of Slavonic and East European Studies Library

There are plenty of libraries to choose from at UCL, some are a little more discreet and harder to find than others. Knowing where these can be found will be very useful as exam season starts and you find yourself sitting on the floor at the student centre. Here is a list of libraries at UCL.

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