Unprecedented environmental change, global urbanisation and emerging technological revolutions are three defining themes of humanity’s attempt to chart a course of sustainable development this century. This route module provides an introduction to some of the key issues, opportunities and challenges in each of these themes. Through a programme of route sessions which broadly span topics and content of the other STEaPP MPA routes (Urban Innovation and Policy / Sustainable Infrastructure and Public Policy/ Development, Technology and Innovation Policy / Digital Technologies and Public Policy) students on this route will have a broad exposure to a selection of topics at the science-policy interface. This flexibility is intended to allow you to explore and develop your own research and professional interests and provide an opportunity to consider the interconnections across all the themes explored within UCL STEaPP’s MPA programmes. Throughout the module, you will explore and debate these themes through a series of case examples, supported by seminars, site visits and expert engagements.

This module will support students on the Science, Engineering and Public Policy (SEPP) Route in several ways and will;

help you develop skills and gain experience with collating evidence from various sources including effectively engaging experts when gathering evidence for policy contexts;
	provide a forum for developing and practicing your verbal discussion and debating skills; and
	provide a forum for you to develop and discuss your personal Term Paper topic.
Throughout the module students will have the opportunity to assess your own 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 and presentation that will reflect the students’ individuals thinking and intellectual development over the first term of your degree.

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