Microsoft-UCD Digital Policy Programme
About the Programme
In collaboration with Microsoft in Ireland and in Brussels, UCD has established the Microsoft-UCD Digital Policy Programme at UCD with the goal of building digital policy capability amongst the public and private sector in Ireland and across the wider European Union.
In the today’s rapidly-evolving digital world, it can be a challenge for legislators and policy makers to keep abreast of the pace of change and its potential impact. This programme is designed to support those in government with the skills and knowledge necessary to amend existing legislation and plan for new legislation that will protect society and provide a relevant framework in which organisations can operate.
The features of the programme will fill a short term need while also building a sustainable pipeline of skills for long-term impact. It will build on existing expertise and curriculum already offered at UCD, while also recruiting leading academics to develop and oversee its success.
Read more about the Centre for Digital Policy (opens in a new window)here
A message from Cathriona Hallahan, MD for Microsoft in Ireland
"Microsoft is proud to have worked with industry partners, the public sector and leading academics to help inform the development of a programme that will build digital expertise into existing policy making frameworks. This much needed and timely programme will help to advance capabilities amongst Irish and EU policy makers on legislative and policy matters that arise in the context of digital technologies.
Irish policy makers have the potential to take the lead in Europe on the evolution of laws and policies that remain relevant in a digital world while also fostering innovation and building trust. The Microsoft team here in Ireland and in Europe are delighted to partner with UCD in the development and delivery of this new academic programme."
Casper Klynge, VP Microsoft European Government Affairs
"We are delighted to support this important new Masters programme in digital policy studies at UCD in Ireland. Technology impacts all our lives and the most important debates of our times are about seizing the opportunities and minimizing the challenges it presents. European institutions and governments are setting a path for critical technology policy issues and we need more academic clusters shaping digital policy thinking and educating the next generation of leaders. We look forward to welcoming professors and students to Brussels for study visits that will help contribute to these crucial policy debates and developments."
This new programme includes Graduate Study and Professional Development courses
This MSc degree aims to produce future professionals with a deep understanding of both theoretical and applied issues in digital policy. On graduating, our students will be able to embark on a variety of careers in Ireland and globally, the MSc in Digital Policy is designed to prepare graduates for careers in evaluating, implementing, and studying core topical, theoretical, and methodological issues that arise in digital policy today, both in the public and private sectors. Programme options and information below. For further information contact Dr Elizabeth Farries. elizabeth.farries@ucd.ie
UCD Centre for Digital Policy
This new interdisciplinary research centre is led by Professor Eugenia Siapera, Head of UCD School of Information and Communication Studies.
Objectives of the Centre:
The UCD Centre for Digital Policy will generate new research on the policy challenges of digital technologies. Through this research we will engage industry, policy makers and civil society, translating knowledge into policy and aiming to inform wider public discourse on critical policy issues affecting the economy and society.
Assistant Professor/Lecturer in Digital Policy
Elizabeth Farries is an Assistant Professor in Digital Policy who joined UCD in September 2020. Called to the Bar in Canada, she holds a JD from the University of Victoria, a Masters in Information from the University of Toronto, and is completing a PhD in Law at Trinity College Dublin. Elizabeth publishes, advises, and lectures at the intersection of tech, policy and human rights. She also consults on digital matters for the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.