The Science, Technology and Policy Studies track provides rigorous interdisciplinary training, drawing on methodological tools from science and technology policy, science and technology studies, policy analysis, political theory, law, and economics.
At HKS, students have access to leading scholars from across Harvard in the social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, with specialties in areas such as security studies, energy policy, innovation and development, environment and climate, biotechnology, data science, and information. The HKS faculty includes practitioners with wide experience at the highest levels of government and industry in science and technology policy.
Graduates are qualified for academic teaching and research in public policy schools, interdisciplinary programs, and traditional social science departments, as well as for leadership positions in national and international science and technology policy in both the public and private sectors.
Science, Technology and Policy Studies Track Prerequisites
To demonstrate that you are prepared for our rigorous curriculum, you must have successfully completed and excelled in the following:
- A university-level course in social science or social theory of science and technology (e.g., science and technology studies, modern social thought, computing and society)
- A university-level course in quantitative analysis (e.g. calculus, statistics)
- A university-level course in qualitative methods (e.g. anthropology, geography, history, law, philosophy)
- One research paper you have written by yourself that has a policy focus (co-authored papers not accepted)
Science, Technology and Policy Studies Track Core Requirements
- Two courses in political theory
- One course in normative theory
- Two courses in analytical methods
- One course in empirical methods
- Two doctoral research seminars (API-901, API-902)
You are required to stay on the declared track while working toward your doctorate and must meet the core requirements above. If your research focus changes to a different track, you are required to speak with the Doctoral Programs Office regarding the procedures to apply to change tracks.