Collaborative Master’s in Science, Society and Policy

The ISSP’s master’s level Collaborative Program in Science, Society and Policy was launched September 2015. The program offers an opportunity for students who are registered in one of the partner master’s programs to develop the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate challenges confronting decision-making at the interface of science and policy, and to employ an interdisciplinary approach for addressing policy development and implementation relating to science and technology (S&T) innovation, governance and/or communication.

Admissions to the SSP Collaborative Program are processed on a rolling basis, and students from our partner programs can apply at any time to specialize in science and innovation policy.

To be accepted into the Collaborative Master's program, you must have first been admitted to one of our partner programs at the University of Ottawa listed below. To apply, simply complete the registration form and provide a brief cover letter outlining your research interests in science, society and policy. Instructions for the cover letter are available directly in the registration form.

Please submit your completed forms to the Graduate Program Co-ordinator, Professor Daniel Paré.

Descriptions of the courses offered by the ISSP as part of the graduate program are provided below.

ISP 5101: Decision-making at the interface of science and policy (3 cr)
Syllabus

This course explores a number of critical issues in the design and implementation of science (or, more generally, evidence)-based policy. Topics will include: the nature of scientific evidence; who has standing in the provisioning of scientific evidence; the science and non-science of risk assessment; ethical dimensions of policy design and implementation; the role of science in policy design and implementation; the policy making process; and science policy performance evaluation.

ISP 5903: Science, Society and Technology Capstone Practicum (3 cr)

This practicum is designed to partner students with external public, non-governmental or private institutions engaged in activities relating to science and technology policy, regulation, governance or communication. Students will undertake, either singly in groups, a research project co-directed by both an internal supervisor from ISSP, as well as an external supervisor from the sponsoring institution.

• MA in Communication
• MA and MSc in Geography
• MA in Public and International Affairs
• MSc in Biology
• MSc in Chemistry
• MSc in Earth Sciences
• MSc in Physics
• MASc in Chemical Engineering
• MASc in Civil Engineering
• MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• MIS in Information Studies

• Registration Form (DOC file)
• Graduate Program Description (PDF file)
• Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website