Development is about transforming livelihoods for the better.  The accumulation of physical capital and resource endowment, while a desirable condition for development, is insufficient for transforming economies and stimulating human wellbeing.  It needs to be complemented by the ability to generate value, harness and wisely utilize scientific knowledge and related technological innovation.  The economic history of advanced economies serves as a vivid reminder of the correlation between a country's scientific and technological capabilities and its development performance.  It also provides lessons on the need to think beyond focusing narrowly on science and technology, and more on the broader innovation systems, and take a wider view about development in order to limit the undesirable impacts of development.

Science, technology and innovation underpin every one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), suggesting that countries, regions and cities will need to invest in crafting focused policies that build their institutional capacities and human capabilities.  Policies aimed at adapting to climate change, enhancing agricultural productivity and health security, among others, will only be successful if they are based on solid scientific evidence - ideally generated from local and national institutions.  In essence, the quality of development depends on how well technology and innovation policies are responsive to real development questions and aspirations.  This will need building extensive innovation capabilities to sustain innovation systems that foster balanced growth, social wellbeing and environmental protection.

This module will support and introduce students on the Development, Technology and Innovation Policy (DTIP) MPA Route in several ways. First, we introduce a range of topical issues that are particularly challenging and complex for policymaking not only in a developing or emerging country context, but also globally. We do this through a programme of STEaPP faculty, guest speakers, in-class activities and debates; supported by targeted reading. In addition, this module will help to reinforce some of the learning that takes place across Term One in other core modules.  Secondly, we will introduce a range of 'development provocations' around topics that challenge our deeper assumptions about ethical and moral questions around on-going and future scientific and technological developments as a way for students to confront and reflect their perspectives and 'learnings' on the MPA programme. Finally, students will have the opportunity to assess their strengths and areas for improvement with regards to some of the important skills and qualities that are highly valued in the workplace.  The culmination of the Module will be a term paper that will reflect your thinking and intellectual development over the first term of your degree.

Throughout the introductory module, in addition to other literatures, we will use examples of our own previous and current research projects, as well as future ideas, to help you think through and better understand the issues we engage with. This will give you concrete problems, stakeholders, challenges and outputs to work with. As part of this engagement with our work, you will be exposed to experts in the field and people that we work with, so please make sure that you familiarise yourselves with their roles and come to meetings prepared to ask questions and make meaningful contributions.