Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health & Life Sciences

This transdisciplinary specialisation will give you insights in the fundamentals of science, of communication and of science communication. You will develop an in-depth understanding of communication processes between scientists of different disciplines, between different sciences and their stakeholders, and between science and the individual members of society (citizens).

In addition to a theoretical part, we will also cover various practical forms of science communication. Examples include designing a science exhibition (Science Museology), creating a scientific background article, podcast and video (Science Journalism) and organising public events to discuss and map new, controversial developments, like DNA manipulation and cultured meat (Science in Dialogue). In this, you will collaborate with students from different disciplines, practitioners from the field and stakeholders or (specific groups of) citizens. The specialisation is concluded with one or two Science Communication internships, in which you apply the acquired science communication knowledge and skills.

Through this specialisation, you will become a reflective science communication practitioner. This means that you become a practitioner who is aware about own perspectives, principles and theories underlying the own practice. You know who you are, your values and world views, how these shape your professional thinking and behaviour, and how to continuously improve or adjust those for sake of bettering the science-society relationship. 

Our alumni currently work, for instance, as science journalists for newspapers or magazines, content designers for science or technology museums, trainers or teachers in science or science communication, change makers, dialogue facilitators or consultants, but also as science or technology policy-makers, science communication researchers or social scientists.

The programme can also be followed as a major (60 EC), which is open to students of most two-year Masters at the Faculties of Science of VU and UvA. Visit the major webpage for more information.

This specialisation gives you insights into the theories and strategies that are needed to address societal issues through (governmental) policy at various levels. You will be introduced to specialised knowledge and understanding in the discipline of policy analysis, focusing particularly on different forms of ‘governance’ and interactive policy-making.

You will also acquire skills in data-collection methods, using written and digital sources as well as interviews and focus group discussions. Ultimately, you will be able to independently facilitate group processes for interactive policy-making. You will also be able to apply various analytical tools to structure multidisciplinary data towards strategically designed recommendations.

This track gives you insights into the management process you need to turn scientific knowledge into innovations that are relevant to society in the area of Health & Life Sciences.

You will discuss relevant theories on management, leadership, finance and law. When you graduate you’ll be able to develop and critically assess business plans as well as having skills in relevant, scientific data-collection methods; you’ll also be familiar with different analytical tools.

In this specialisation you’ll acquire wide-ranging insights into current and future challenges in the field of international public health – their main causes as well as  applied and potential interventions.

You’ll learn about relevant concepts across different disciplines, such as epidemiology, policy science, anthropology, management studies, biomedical sciences and health sciences.

When you’ve graduated, you’ll be able to conduct scientific research in the field of international public health, address challenges and critically assess the results of research. You will acquire knowledge of current theories and the key research questions in this field as well as gain insights into their scientific and social relevance.

Community health currently faces a number of challenges, such as changing demographics, long-term care put under pressure and the increasing demands placed on staff and resources.
In this track you’ll learn how technology can contribute to the creation of sustainable solutions to these problems. You’ll also discover ways of effectively engaging with diverse members of the community in order to identify their health-related needs and concerns.
By learning how to work with (industrial) technicians you’ll be equipped to develop health technologies that address the identified needs of the community. You’ll also learn to reflect on the impact of these new technologies on community health.
You will obtain knowledge and insights from innovation studiessciences, as well as specific technological knowledge from relevant disciplines, i.e. physics, computer sciences and health sciences. This will enrich your understanding of the dynamics between front-line and emerging innovative technologies and community-based healthcare.