Technology and data are transforming governance across the globe. How we apply ethical and innovative use of data and technology to society’s most pressing challenges is key to how we govern our future world. This new MSc programme in the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) explores and analyses the challenges and opportunities that big data brings to the future of democracy.

This is a unique, new interdisciplinary programme offering an innovative approach to study that will help you develop advanced thinking in governance and policy-making for the future. It is for critical thinkers who seek to develop leading-edge knowledge to help them shape the world – and their careers – by driving positive change through policy and decision-making.

You will gain the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and use diverse data sources and emerging technologies to understand, critique and shape the future of governance. The cross-sector, interdisciplinary approach used within EFI showcases the very best the University of Edinburgh has to offer and includes collaboration with policy and communication experts and decision-makers across the public, private and third sectors.

Develop a critical understanding of the role of diverse data, new technologies and the need for methodological excellence in the shaping of future governance and democracy. Increase your data literacy and confidence in handling new and big data sources and learn to confidently identify the most appropriate technologies, data and methods required to address a policy puzzle. Become aware of the ethical implications of methodological decisions and how to make appropriate ethical and methodological choices.

Future Governance graduates will have a robust understanding of data-driven decision-making in governance processes. They will be ready to make positive change in the decision-making environment. The core elements of the programme address the data and higher-order skills we know are important for the future of work, confident and critical citizenship, and a thriving, just society.

Our data-literate graduates will be well placed to offer the cross disciplinary skills that are in demand from decision-makers and researchers in the public, private and third sectors. We expect our graduates to take up posts or to seek promotion in these sectors, equipped to carve out a niche in the rapidly transforming field of governance.