Master in Technology and Global Affairs

The Geopolitics and Security theme continues with a look at tech’s influence on global governance and multilateralism. You’ll explore how both state and non-state actors work in the digital era, and the implications and realities of global internet governance.

The next phase of the Technology and Global Prosperity pillar looks at the expansion of the use of information technologies in the world of economic development and international cooperation. National governments, NGOs and private foundations alike are moving into the routine use of e-banking, geolocation, the Internet of Things and AI as they design and implement new initiatives.

The management and evaluation of development projects, too, is increasingly undertaken with new tech tools. In this semester you’ll experience hands-on exposure to real-world development projects, and meet practitioners in the space face-to-face.

A course designed to familiarize you with the two most important programming languages for modern tech professionals, Python and SQL. It’s not a programming course—rather it’s a look at the concepts, risks and potential for cybersecurity attacks inherent in the widespread use of these tools. You’ll address concepts such as digital and data security, and effective data use, management and protection.

This course examines the modern realities of a tech-first ecosystem that have forced public, private, third-sector and even state organizations to move on from traditional models of leadership, and into more adaptive methods. You’ll address emotional intelligence, self-awareness, empathy, transparency and stakeholder engagement and empowerment—key qualities for effective modern leadership and the well-being of an organization’s employees.

The core content continues, building an understanding of how tech forces us to rethink our approaches on fundamental humanitarian issues such as privacy, child protection, digital law enforcement, surveillance and constitutional issues. A dual focus covers both the opportunities and the challenges tech provides in this field.

This course examines the impact technology is having on global governance and international cooperation, with a particular look at how international organizations like the UN and the EU operate. You’ll also explore emerging tech in the space, such as cryptocurrencies, that are increasingly becoming subject to multilateral standards and governance.

You’ll study the disruptive power of tech on the structures and practices of organizations, producing an academic and research-based project that will leverage your data analysis or theoretical development skills.

This pillar moves on to Digital Business and Entrepreneurship, with a primary focus on incorporating a product or service idea into a formal business plan. You’ll gain the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in a constantly changing environment, using case studies to look at innovation in business, market research, strategizing and organizational planning.

Study continues on what are, in modern global affairs and business alike, becoming fundamental competencies: data-driven decision-making, AI and machine learning. On the data side, the focus is on the statistical methods that inform policy-making and management in the sector, with particular emphasis on practical sources and uses of big data and its visualization.

Through case studies, this course examines how technology disrupts policy-making in every sector. In an intensive bootcamp, you’ll gain practical experience of this key discipline as you explore the definition, design and implementation of a project to address a public policy issue, including financial aspects such as expenditure. Honing in on stated objectives, this course is about creating holistic, tech-based solutions in uncertain and changing times.

This term also sees the commencement of your work on either your thesis or your capstone project, as you begin to pull everything you’ve learned together.

This course examines the role that prominent social media platforms such as Facebook, X and TikTok play in the spreading of misinformation and even surveillance. You’ll look at fact-checking and regulatory algorithms, and the potential for positive uses of social media in politics and governance, and the promotion of global citizenship.

This course examines the new avenues for political, legal and social activism on environmental issues provided by new technologies in life sciences, geoengineering and information technologies, as humanity looks to tech for solutions to a more sustainable and equitable future.

In this course, case studies will be used to explore how groups on all sides of conflicts, from insurgent groups to governments to mediators, leverage digital technologies. Analysis of the broad state of tech’s role in conflict and its use in peacemaking will complement real research into stakeholders that are directly or directly involved in the peacemaking process, including tech firms.

This course introduces students to the rapidly expanding world of financial technology and digital finance, including new types of services and business models in the world of finance and banking. You’ll look at the impact of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital accounting technology such as blockchain on the sector, examining case studies of the deployment of emerging fintech by important players in the field.

Emerging technologies are producing new opportunities for spreading prosperity more equitably. This course is an examination of the new strategies available to businesses and governmental stakeholders alike in this important field. This course features an analysis of international trade and global supply chains in the sector, with a final project that addresses a key challenge in international expansion for a small or medium-sized company operating in the sector.

An analysis of the risk management cycle in light of the threats posed by emerging technologies to the traditional models. You’ll learn to produce foresight analyses based on scenario planning, forecasting and planning, and produce contingency plans. Using case studies, you’ll also explore best practices in cybersecurity not just for individuals and proprietary platforms, but for organizations and even countries.

In this course you’ll learn how to apply the latest available tech and techniques to project design, financing, implementation and impact assessment, with an emphasis on workflow management technologies. You’ll also look at how data generation, community and population surveys, and geolocation are all producing new ways to measure project impact.

In the AI and machine learning courses, you’ll receive practical training in the use of machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing. You’ll examine case studies of the use of AI in public, private and nonprofit organizations to propose an AI solution to a public policy problem, management challenge or organizational challenge.

Depending on the path you select, whether it be international or public policy, this term will allow you to see the commencement of your work on either your thesis or your capstone project. You’ll begin to pull everything you’ve learned together as you not only demonstrate your understanding of tech’s impact on diplomacy and policy building, but leverage that tech to solve complex issues in the space.