Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy

UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) is offering several opportunities for doctoral study, including an EPSRC PhD Studentship.

About the Department

STEaPP explores, experiments with, and improves the ways scientific and engineering expertise are engaged with public decision-making and policy processes across our globally interdependent societies.

The department’s research bridges science, technology and engineering (STE) and social sciences and focuses on knowledge systems and science–policy interfaces that underpin decision-making at the local, national and international scale. STEaPP is situated within UCL BEAMS (the UCL Faculties of the Built Environment, Engineering Sciences, and Mathematical & Physical Sciences).

We offer academic oriented Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and policy-/professional-oriented Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) training tracks.

PhD programme

A supervised research degree in which candidates carry out independent research on a topic developed with two UCL supervisors (from STEaPP and from another UCL BEAMS department). Candidates are expected to undertake training elements (eight taught modules). 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.

See here for more information.

DPA programme

A supervised research degree in which candidates carry out independent research under the guidance of two UCL supervisors (from STEaPP and from another UCL BEAMS department) and a policy practitioner from outside of UCL. The DPA is designed for governmental researchers who can do their doctoral research while continuing their professional work. Candidates undertake eight taught modules and research to the value of 240 credits. The programme consists of six core training elements (modules from STEaPP), two specialisation training elements (research project literature reviews), a pilot project and a dissertation.

The DPA thesis is an applied piece of work incorporating an account of research done during the programme and its application to a real-world engagement experience carried out in an institution external to UCL. All DPA students are expected to be available for dedicated study (part of the taught component) in London without significant professional workloads for term 1 (from 28 September until 18 December 2020). There is a provision for distance learning for the remainder of the taught component.

See here for more information.

Research topics

STEaPP welcomes expressions of interest covering any areas related to our current research (listed below).

Those who wish to apply for one of STEaPP’s 2020 institutional EPSRC PhD Studentships should focus on either "Policy Development in Practice: Tools and Innovation for Integrating Knowledge Types" or "Science Attaché Networks: Modes of Operation, Impacts and Return on Investment".

STEaPP research focuses on the intersection of a set of societal challenges and a series of cross-cutting practices:

Challenges:

• Sustainability
• Urbanisation
• Development
• Digital and cyber governance
• Humanitarian and crisis management

Practices:

• Science advice
• Science diplomacy
• Impact
• Risk
• Innovation
• Engineering policy
• Modelling for policy
• Foresight & games
• Socio-technical analysis

Find out more about STEaPP research topics.

Fees and Funding

Full-time tuition fees for both programmes in 2020/21 are £5,210 for UK/EU students and £24,470 for overseas applicants.

For PhD study, there are two full-time (4 year) institutional EPSRC Studentships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, on "Policy Development in Practice: Tools and Innovation for Integrating Knowledge Types" or "Science Attaché Networks: Modes of Operation, Impacts and Return on Investment". No studentships are available for DPA study.

Thinking of applying?

Interested applicants are advised to make initial informal enquiries via email to Prof Yacob Mulugetta, Departmental Graduate Tutor (yacob.mulugetta@@ucl.ac.uk).

More information can be found here.

As a part of their application, candidates are expected to include a two-page research proposal in their personal statement.

There is a rolling application deadline for applications, but for the admissions decisions that will be made in March/April 2020, the application deadline is 28 February 2020 (also deadline for studentship applications).