What is Public Policy Design (PPD)?
Public policy design is an expertise in developing solutions to the challenges that our communities are facing nowadays. These solutions may come in many forms and include services, projects, programs, regulations, or even whole strategies. The policy design process proceeds through the following phases:
- data-driven analysis of a problem and an overview of stakeholders engaged in the process
- creative development of solutions
- rigorous testing of “what works” in real life.
Throughout the whole process designers cooperate closely with multi-sector business partners and various social stakeholders.
SWPS University is the place to study Public Policy Design. We are the leading teaching and applied research center in Poland in the disciplines of political sciences and psychology. This standing has been confirmed by the highest, A+ categories, awarded by Poland's Ministry of Education and Science. We have also been ranked 1st in Poland, in the social sciences category, in the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
What will you learn?
Over the course of study, you will work on real-life policy problems using the latest theories and research insights. Thanks to this teaching approach, you will gain knowledge and practical skills in five areas, which are critical for professional policy designers, such as:
- Holistic perspective
- You will understand megatrends and innovations that reshape our societies.
- You will be able to recognize different types of policy problems, including their environmental, social, and economic aspects.
- You will be able to effectively use foresight techniques to anticipate policy challenges and development opportunities.
- Behavioral Insights
- You will understand key socio-psychological mechanisms that shape individual and collective decisions in various areas of life, such as health, financing, and education.
- You will be able to use psychological insights to design user-friendly solutions aligned with human decision-making.
- Collaboration
- You will learn how to establish different models of partnerships, which effectively boost innovation and development between the research, business, and public administration sectors, as well as local communities.
- You will be able to empower and bring together various interest groups engaging them in productive cooperation for the public good.
- You will contribute to the development of innovative policy solutions by working in teams that include researchers, technology experts, business and non-governmental actors.
- Evidence-based decision-making
- You will learn to conduct high-quality research and use the findings to make better-informed decisions.
- You will be able to successfully apply for research grants, public tenders, and non-government funding opportunities.
- Digital proficiency
- You will understand the advantages and challenges of well-established and emerging technologies.
- You will be able to work and manage processes effectively and effortlessly in digital environments, to deliver public good.
Who should apply?
The program is addressed to candidates interested in creating public solutions, improvements, and conditions that matter for developing our democratic societies. We are looking for candidates who want to combine creativity and proficiency in leading collaborative problem-solving with advanced use of research and technology.
Preferably, the candidates should hold undergraduate diplomas in social sciences, political science, psychology, law, or other fields.
Language requirements:
- English proficiency at B2 (or higher) level of the CEFR scale.
Meet one of our lecturers
Hear Professor Ben Stanley, a political scientist, talk about his passion for teaching and research.