The Cambridge Master s in Public Policy

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1 Head The Cambridge Master s in Public Policy Developing new, evidence-based approaches to public policy Cambridge Public Policy

2 The Master s course in Public Policy offers an exciting opportunity to pool Cambridge s expertise across a range of sciences, engineering, the humanities and social sciences, and contribute to improved policy making in Britain and the EU. José Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission The Cambridge Master s in Public Policy Developing new integrated, cross-disciplinary and evidence-based approaches to public policy The Cambridge Master s in Public Policy (MPP) is an intensive one-year programme, uniquely combining the rigour of scientific, evidence-based thinking with public policy research and education. Increasingly complex social, scientific and technological challenges call for carefully considered policy solutions underpinned by reliable knowledge and appropriate methods. In a society whose very fabric from public health to the creation of new industries and jobs for the future depends critically on science and technology, new policy approaches are needed to respond to the challenges and the oppor tunities they present. The Cambridge MPP champions integrated cross-disciplinary approaches and will put evidence at the heart of the public policy agenda. Whether you are a potential student, employer, corporate partner, sponsor, expert speaker or indeed a concerned citizen, we invite you to join us in launching this major initiative to improve the effectiveness of public policy. In 1998 the Cambridge Public Policy Programme (CPP) was established to promote understanding of scientific and technological advances, and their implications for government planning and policy. Over the next eight years its seminars were attended by politicians, high-level policy professionals (the Head of the Civil Service attended them all) and leading scientists. The Programme was not only extremely successful, it also revealed a gulf in understanding between policy professionals and scientists. In 2009 the Centre for Science and Policy was formed in Cambridge and began to bridge the gap by acting as a networking organisation, promoting better contacts between researchers and policy makers. The MPP completes the picture, providing a rigorous training in the development of evidence-based policy, with a strong emphasis on the impact of science and technology on all areas of government. Professor Lord Eatwell Chair of the Committee on Public Policy 2 3

3 Why Cambridge? Cambridge MPP benefits and outcomes The University of Cambridge has outstanding research and teaching across all disciplines, particularly in engineering, medicine and the social, physical and life sciences. Cambridge is also home to a corporate technology and innovation cluster of global significance often termed the Cambridge Phenomenon. With particular strengths in information technology, life sciences and microelectronics, this cluster has evolved into one of the world s most dynamic networks of people and enterprises. The Cambridge MPP thus provides policy professionals with direct access to exceptional expertise: an academic community that has produced more Nobel Laureates than any other university in the world, as well as the most successful technology community in Europe. By establishing effective partnerships across academia, industry, the third sector and government, the Cambridge MPP will strengthen the inter connections between science, research and innovation in public policy. As a result, the MPP promotes better awareness within policy circles about scientific developments and emerging technologies, encouraging long-term thinking and better strategic planning. The MPP programme will qualify its graduates to: Appreciate the role of science and technology in government and public policy Manage multiple sources of information learning what they can and cannot trust Assess issues from multidisciplinary perspectives Identify gaps and understand how to recognise when the picture is incomplete Critically evaluate information from different kinds of experts Integrate diverse types of thinking for example to build consensus Understand the implications of complexity, risk and uncertainty for policy making Comprehend the value that IT and big data hold for society Students will also gain a deep understanding of the key interpersonal dy na mics at play in the public policy arena, notably how different stake holders operate and how best to work with them. They will also gain insight and con fidence to make informed judgments. Ultimately, students will graduate with a versatile Master s degree and the vital skills to manage the pressures and responsi bilities of the policy profession. Scientists, technologists and engineers who don t understand the context and culture of politics and government will always be on the margins of decision making. Our society can t afford this. The Cambridge MPP offers a passport to the world where important decisions get made. Tom Steinberg Founder and Director of mysociety By harnessing the best available knowledge and employing cross-disciplinary approaches to learning, the Cambridge MPP promotes urgently needed new thinking on the global challenges of tomorrow. Photo: Cathy Salkield Professor Lord Rees of Ludlow Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society 4 Photo: Miranda Gomperts 5

4 Programme overview Governments face many problems which require a measured, rational approach based on a rigorous analysis of the facts and the options. Producing clean energy, promoting public transport, raising vaccination rates, improving education, tackling alcohol abuse, reducing welfare dependency, cutting cybercrime; the list is endless. The Cambridge MPP programme will broaden the understanding of the next generation of policy makers and strengthen their capacity to tackle these problems. Lord Wilson of Dinton Former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service The Cambridge MPP is based at the Department of Politics and International Studies, but draws on teaching from each School of the University (Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Technology) as well as from professionals in the policy world. The course is delivered through a com bination of workshops, discussions, simulations, work placement, individual and group exercises as well as more conventional lecture-based learning. The course has three components: the inner core, outer core and work placement programmes. Inner core Sustainable development Health and welfare Resilience and risk Outer core Lecture courses Group exercise Reading on research Work placement The case-study programme will guide students through the complexities of real-life decisions with a learning approach covering ten key aspects of analysis: Science what evidence can and cannot tell us History what we can and cannot learn from the past Economics how costs and benefits are measured Politics setting the agenda; national and international perspectives Law how authority is sought and deployed Choice how decisions are made Technology the potential and limitations of technology and IT Evaluation the lessons of success and failure Planning and implementation how decisions are turned into reality Communication mechanisms and processes for exchanging ideas Communication Planning and implementation Science History Inner core Case studies Economics Politics Law Inner core In any one year, teaching is based around three substantive and complementary case studies focused on specific policy decisions, each of which explores one of three broad themes sustainable development, health and welfare, and resilience and risk. Evaluation Technology Choice Specific examples of typical cases being developed for the MPP are illustrated overleaf. 6 7 Photo: Miranda Gomperts

5 Sustainable development (Biodiversity, climate, energy, infra structure, transport, conservation) Severn river tidal power plant A 2008 feasibility plan to build a ten-mile barrage across the UK s Severn Estuary would have created the world s largest renewable energy project. Students will critically appraise the proposed strategies for climate change mitigation, energy production, transport and conservation, and consider how the engineering, project management, procurement and finance requirements could be met within the stringent political and legal constraints. Climate Change Act In 2008 the UK passed legislation to introduce the world s first long-term legally binding framework to tackle climate change. Students will critically evaluate the complex negotiations leading up to the Bill, and assess how the policy relates to scientific evidence and predictive climate models. The role of pressure groups, quangos, regulation and incentives will be analysed, as will the rules agreed for carbon trading. Students will be able to challenge the participants who shaped the Bill as to whether the Act has made or will make a difference. Health and welfare (Culture, housing, wellbeing, public health, leisure, society) Alcohol minimum pricing Governments have to manage a difficult relationship with the addictive drug alcohol, whose use and abuse is deeply engrained within national culture, while also balancing the interests of a lucrative alcohol industry. The case study focuses on the UK government s alcohol pricing policy as a means to manage patterns of consumption. Students will scrutinise the evidence used by HM Treasury in its 2011 review of alcohol taxation, assess economic impacts, and consider international comparisons and cultural factors. Photo: David Reiner Resilience and risk (Education, global resources, adaptation, new technology, law enforcement, financial systems) Internet regulation The development of the internet is only the latest example of the general axiom that the speed and scale of innovation always outpace the ability of regulators to implement checks and balances. In this case study, students will consider how policy objectives around security, transparency, censorship, copyright, personal data protection and freedom of information can be implemented most effectively in the virtual world. Nuclear deterrence In 1960 the Royal Air Force led Britain s nuclear deterrence capability, but this changed after the 1962 Cuban crisis when the USA abruptly cancelled its Skybolt air missile programme. By the end of the 1960s Britain had shifted its nuclear focus to the Royal Navy with additional international commitments from NATO. Students will explore parallels between Cold War policy history and current debates around the UK s submarine-based Trident deterrent, in vestigating how changes in the geopolitical map are shaping UK and NATO strategic defence planning. HPV vaccination In 2008 the UK began a mass vaccination programme to immunise teenage girls against the human papilloma virus (HPV), the active agent in 99% of cervical cancers. The case study will address the fundamental science as well as the process of bringing a new health product to market, including intellectual property, funding, clinical trials, licensing and regulation. Culture and gender issues will also be analysed, along with the costs, benefits and effectiveness of the vaccination programme to date. Volcanic ash cloud When volcanic ash from Iceland closed European airspace in April 2010, everyone regulators, politicians, the media, airlines and insurance companies turned to scientists to calculate when it was safe to return to the skies. Students will explore how much science shaped the decisions, and evaluate how effectively the parties were able to navigate the complex network of international legal rules within a demanding time frame to safely reopen airspace. Photo: NASA 8 9

6 Whether developing a career in government, an NGO, service provision or business, it is important to understand the context of policy and have the ability to analyse policy options. The Cambridge MPP will equip its graduates to contribute to effective and informed decision making. Dr Jonathan Grant President, RAND Europe Outer core Work placement Outer core Lecture courses A series of short lecture courses will provide theoretical background and promote discussion on key areas, including science and the nature of evidence, IT and project management, ethics, law and economics, and media, while a soft skills module will focus on essential personal and interpersonal skills. Group exercise Through a role-play simulation, students will put their new knowledge and skills into practice, learning how to negotiate and communicate complex messages under intense pressure. In one exercise, students will assume the parts of key players in the UK Cabinet and HM Treasury during the September 2000 fuel crisis, when farmers and truck drivers blockaded refineries and dis tribution depots across Europe. This crisis had a significant impact on transport, health services, food distribution, financial and government services. Independent research The independent research module allows students to tailor their learning to suit their own needs and particular interests. Students can attend lectures from a wide range of other courses and participate in programmes run by the Centre for Science and Policy and the Institute for Government. Work placement As an integral part of the course, students will undertake a four-week work placement during which they will deliver policy reports addressing key issues for their host organisations, which might be government departments, local authorities, criminal justice boards or policy units within commercial businesses or not-for-profit organisations. In collaboration with the host, each student will define the problem, design a strategy, gather relevant data, formulate and evaluate options, and produce a detailed report with full analysis and recommendations. This assignment will form the basis of the final dissertation. Each student will benefit from specialist academic supervision and mentoring from a practising public policy professional. The MPP will be further enriched through presen tations, debates and networking meetings, as well as field trips to Westminster, Whitehall and Brussels. The opportunity presented by the Cambridge MPP to guide technologically gifted persons [geeks] and innovators into government is phenomenal. The long-term benefit to society of public policy leaders who are conversant with and networked into the world of data and technology cannot be underestimated. It has my full and enthusiastic support. Sherry Coutu Serial entrepreneur and angel investor Photo: Miranda Gomperts

7 Access to a world-class network Students gain a world-class Master s degree Applications are welcomed from graduates in any discipline who typically have three to five years of work experience and a desire to have a positive impact on public policy whether in government, industry or the third sector, at a national or international level. There are many routes into the Cambridge Public Policy community whichever you choose, you will benefit from access to and association with one of the world s most powerful networks of expertise. Nat le Roux Chair of Cambridge Public Policy External Advisory Board Employers a qualification you can trust For employers seeking the best recruits to develop their teams, a Cambridge MPP qualification offers the highest level of assurance that a candidate has the right credentials for leadership or advisory roles in public service or in public policy departments. Expert speakers share your experience The programme includes an extensive schedule of presentations from external speakers, with contributions from private sector, government and NGO representatives who can offer novel perspectives from the real world of policy making. We will also draw on speakers from the greater Cambridge technology and innovation cluster, the first of its kind in Europe and world renowned for its success as a business incubator. Corporate partners host a work placement By hosting a student on a work placement, corporate partners benefit from the dedicated commitment of a top-flight student who delivers a detailed report and recommendations addressing a specific policy issue relevant to the organisation. 12 Sponsors benefit through association For individuals and organisations who would like to become sponsors or patrons of the Cambridge MPP, we offer an attractive range of benefits in recognition of support, including engagement as part of the University of Cambridge Public Policy network. Policy makers the way forward The professional development intrinsic to the MPP provides excellent value for money. The core programmes, together with the associated research seminars, distinguished lectures, policy workshops and conferences offer participants the oppor tunity to discuss and analyse cross-cutting issues, new ideas and concepts leading to smarter and better informed policy. 13

8 About us Next steps Whatever course your life takes, it is astonishing how often you need an understanding of the process, purpose and outcomes of public policy making. This Master s degree provides a marvellous opportunity to learn from, challenge and shape the future of public policy making to the benefit of those inside the system and out. Fiona Reynolds Director General of the National Trust The University of Cambridge has a long involvement with public policy. The Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) was established in 2009 to develop connections between researchers in science and engineering and policy makers in government and industry. CSaP and its predecessor, the Cambridge University Government Policy Programme, have facilitated and nurtured engagement between policy makers and researchers for more than 13 years, and continue to do so through the Policy Fellowships programme, policy workshops and professional development seminars. Members of the Cambridge School of Public Policy steering group are: Professor Lord John Eatwell, Chair (Professor of Financial Policy, Cambridge Judge Business School; President of Queens College) Dr David Cleevely FREng (Founding Director, Centre for Science and Policy) Professor Dame Sandra Dawson (KPMG Professor of Management, Cambridge Judge Business School; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University) Professor Barry Everitt FRS (Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Experimental Psychology; Master of Downing College) Professor Andrew Gamble FBA (Professor of Politics, Department of Politics and International Studies) Professor Simone Hochgreb (Professor of Experimental Combustion, Department of Engineering) David Howarth (Former MP for Cambridge; Reader in Law, Department of Land Economy) Professor Frank Kelly FRS (Professor of the Mathematics of Systems, Statistics Laboratory; Master of Christ s College) Professor Theresa Marteau (Director of Behaviour and Research Health Unit, Institute of Public Health) Dr Alex Oliver (Reader in Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy) Professor William Sutherland (Miriam Rothschild Professor of Conservation Biology, Department of Zoology) To register your interest or find out more about involvement with the Cambridge MPP or development of the Cambridge Public Policy Initiative, please contact Dr Miranda Gomperts by on mg129@cam.ac.uk or by phone on +44 (0) Good policy requires trusted evidence, appropriate methods and a thorough evaluation of the relevant facts. I am happy to see programmes fostering this approach for the benefit of the European citizen. Professor Anne Glover Chief Scientific Adviser to the European Commission Photo: courtesy of the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge 14 15

9 The new Master s in Public Policy is a welcome and important innovation, which should improve the skills of future public service leaders and raise the quality of their policy making. Rt Hon Peter Riddell Director of the Institute for Government For further information, please contact: Dr Miranda Gomperts Director of Programme Development Cambridge Public Policy 10 Trumpington Street Cambridge CB2 1QA mg129@cam.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) Mobile: +44 (0) Cambridge Public Policy Supported by the Centre for Science and Policy