The MSc Public Governance program structure allows you to specialize in one of the four themes below, among others by choosing a particular Governance Clinic project, but also by selecting a specific elective, and writing your Master’s thesis about this theme.
You can also opt to do an internship instead of (or in addition to) an elective.
It is recommended to take the elective or do the internship in the second semester, but it is also possible to do so in the first semester, depending on when the specific elective is offered, or when there is an opportunity for an internship.
The MSc Public Governance offers 4 themes, coordinated by leading experts on the theme.
A. Governing the Transition to a Sustainable Society
The role of government in addressing climate change and energy transition has been rapidly expanding; more than ever, sustainability has become a critical topic in the realm of public governance. This theme will help you specialize in how coalitions and networks are built among a diverse set of actors, beyond government, and across boundaries, why it still often is difficult to leverage the necessary capacity and support, and what kind of governance models and practices ‘work’ in organizing climate action, accelerating the energy transition, and achieving sustainable development and growth.
Leading expert: Professor Martijn Groenleer
This theme offers electives like:
Climate Change Law
Seminar Environmental and Resource Economics
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
In this short video Professor Martijn Groenleer will tell you more about the challenges of the transition to a sustainable society: 'Governing the Energy Transition' (video - 3.34 min).
B. Justice, Security, and the Governance of Risks
In an increasingly uncertain and unpredictable world, the governance of risks, security and the justice sector is more than ever of importance to ensure the effectiveness and legitimacy of governance systems worldwide. This theme will help you specialize in current issues of safety and risk, both from a regulatory and an organizational perspective, the management and governance of the justice sector in relation to safeguarding the rule of law, as well as governance challenges prompted by systems failure and crises.
Leading expert: Professor Stavros Zouridis
This theme offers electives like:
Migration and the Rule of Law
Competition and Market Risks
The EU and Global Environmental Risks
Professor Stavros Zouridis brings a current topic under discussion in this short video: 'Why the Rule of Law has failed in Europe' (video - 5:23 min).
C. Governance for Health, Education, and Welfare
The foundation for a prosperous, fair, and equal society requires good quality provision of health, education, and welfare, which however is increasingly challenging because of developments such as changing expectations and needs of citizens, growing internationalization and interconnectedness, and increasing mobility and flexibility. This theme will help you specialize in the governance responses from public as well as private and non-profit parties to face and adapt to 21st century challenges, and build robust and resilient health, education and welfare systems.
Leading expert: Professor Ton Wilthagen
This theme offers electives like:
Hybrid Organizations
Social Policy and Social Risks
Health & Policy
D. Democratic Governance and Innovation
In recent decades, developments such as the rise of populism, the weakening of traditional ideologies, the polarization and personalization of politics, and the decreasing trust in representative democracy have all put strong pressure on democracies across the globe and systems of democratic governance to change and innovate. This theme will help you specialize in contemporary models and practices of democratic change and innovation, from the local to the global, and what these models and practices entail for citizens, politicians and governance professionals.
Leading Expert: Professor Frank Hendriks
This theme offers electives like:
Politics and Society in Comparative Perspective
Populism and Active Citizenship
The social structure of Western societies
In this short video Professor Frank Hendriks will elaborate on the topic Democratic Governance and Innovation: 'Public Governance and the Referendum'(video - 4:58 min).
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