STEaPP’s research spans STEM and social sciences and is concerned with the role of STEM knowledge in public decision-making. Doctoral students typically work across two UCL departments, with a public policy focus at STEaPP and an applied methodological focus in a sister department within UCL BEAMS (the UCL Faculties of the Built Environment, Engineering Sciences, and Mathematical & Physical Sciences). Students are also encouraged to undertake study and research more widely across UCL.

The DPA aims to foster world-class interdisciplinary practitioners and researchers. Graduates are likely to be attractive to employers as scientific advisers, or they may choose to concentrate on an academic career.

Students acquire a body of knowledge on the role of science, engineering and technology in public policy decision-making, together with solid training in research methods and designing and executing research initiatives which are relevant and usable for external partners. This skill-set is ideal for a career path either as a senior-level scientific adviser or as an academic.