Turin School of Development (International Training Centre of the ILO)
Master in Technology and Public Policy
- Turin, Italy
- Online Italy
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
27 Feb 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
26 Apr 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 9,900 *
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
* subsistence (optional) €4,785
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
This intensive, one-year blended programme combines online learning and an immersive residential phase in Turin. Designed for professionals in public administration, technology, and policy sectors, the Master’s Programme offers a deep dive into technological innovation, public policy design, and their impact on social sustainability. Engage with global experts, work on real-world projects, and enhance your career prospects. Discover more and apply today!
Global trends show that technological innovation, digital transformation and the revolution in artificial intelligence are shaping unprecedented and challenging future scenarios. Public-policy and decision-making processes need to adapt their strategies to respond promptly and effectively to forthcoming challenges and shape a sustainable future from an economic, social and environmental perspective.
To deal with the future challenges posed by technological change, the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO), under the auspices of the Turin School of Development (TSD) and in partnership with the Politecnico di Torino, is offering this Master in Technology and Public Policy - Achieving Social Impact.
Taught by a global faculty, participants will be able to: - understand the features of technological innovation in various fields, from digitalization, green energy and the circular economy to space economy, e-health and the silver economy; - thoroughly examine the links between technological innovation processes and public-policy production; - analyse the social, economic, legal and cultural determinants of technology and its impacts on both the economy and society; - assess public-policy interventions in response to issues arising from the use of new technologies; - design public-policy responses to targeted questions in different technological and institutional contexts and explore how new forms of innovation can contribute to social, economic and ecological sustainability.
Participants will acquire a combination of scientific, technical and policy-analysis tools, techniques and skills for recognizing and anticipating change, while responding to complex situations in their respective fields.
Throughout the course, participants will be supported in the design and development of a specific project addressing challenges posed by the continuous process of technological innovation. This will constitute their final thesis.
Who Attends This Master?
The Master is intended for officials and/or professionals working in the public administration and international organizations in the fields of economic, technological, industrial and social policy; experts in the public affairs departments of technology companies; practitioners in the field of industrial and employment relations from both the private and the public sector; officials of trade unions and employers' organizations; policy analysts working for national and international think tanks, financial institutions, research departments of banks, insurance companies and foundations; young graduates who intend to pursue a career in public administration, international organizations, NGOs, strategy and policy consultancy firms and leading technology companies. The essential requirements for admission are a Bachelor's Degree (minimum three years' duration), fluency in English, ability to use a computer and access to the internet.
This one-year Master's program is intensive by design. It combines three phases: distance learning module, face-to-face component, and preparation of the final thesis.
Phase 1: Distance Learning
The first phase consists of online lectures, allowing you to build a solid foundational understanding of public policy design and innovation management and strategies. Online lectures will be held twice a week (typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM CET), whose attendance is compulsory (a few absences will be allowed). Students will receive support from a tutoring service with expertise in the subject matter and exchange views with other participants.
- Topics covered will be:
Module Distance Learning: Public Policy and Innovation Management
- Introduction to Public Policy Analysis
- Innovation Management
- Introduction to Project Cycle Management
Module Vertical Skills: AI and Big Data for Public Policy
- AI, Big Data, and Regulation
- AI, Decision Making, and Social Foresight
- Cybersecurity and Policy
- Data Inequalities and Digital Inclusion
Module Vertical Skills: Technology for Sustainability, Inclusion and Social Impact
- Technology and Social Impact
- Sustainability and Circular Economy and Territories (sustainable mobility)
- Climate Transition and Policy
- Energy Transformation and Policy
- Space Economy and Use of Satellite Telecom for Inclusion
- Technology and Sustainable Agriculture/Food
Phase 2: Face-to-Face at the Itcilo Campus in Turin
This phase is the core-learning component of the Master. Participants will learn and practice through live classes held by an international faculty. Classes will be delivered in presence at the ITCILO Campus, from Monday to Friday (9.30 am to 4 pm, Italy time zone – compulsory attendance).
This phase will also foresee workshops led by international experts, site visits to research centres, policy labs and project work.
Transversal Module: Technology, Production, and Public Policy Issues
- Policy Design
- Policymaking process and public policy debates
- Policy Monitoring and Evaluation
- Impact Measurement and Evaluation (Social Impact of Technology)
- Digitalization of public administration, data access, and security
- Industrial Policy and Industry 4.0/5.0
- AI, big data and algorithmic regulation and decision-making process
- Project Finance, Fin-Tech, and Social Impact Investments
Transversal Module: Socio-Economic Determinants, Correlates and Impacts of Technology
- Socioeconomic and Political Impact of Technology
- Ethical Dilemmas in the Use of Technology
- Technology and Globalization
- Digital Transformation, Platform Economy, AI and the Future of Work
Active visits to technology labs and research centers of Politecnico di Torino.
Phase 3: Final Thesis
Finalization and delivery of an original written project on a topic related to technology and public policy as the final thesis through home-based research. The project should be based on a specific economic, social or environmental challenge and testable at the country or community level. Tutors will provide guidance throughout the whole phase.
Partial Scholarships
A limited number of partial scholarships are available, on a competitive basis, for students from developing countries.
Participants who wish to apply for a partial scholarship, are required to specify it on the application form.
The selection criteria for the award of partial scholarships will include academic and professional qualifications,
organization, country of origin, and gender balance
What Topics Does This Master Cover?
- Technological innovation, digital transformation, and Artificial Intelligence revolution
- Public policy design and production for new technological scenarios and social challenges
- Policy impact evaluation
- Sustainable transitions through socio-technical system shifts
- Economics of innovation, employment, and labor markets
- Public policy design and project management.
What will I Learn?
On successful completion of the Master, participants will be able to:
- Understand the main features of technological innovation as applied to different economic sectors and in different technical fields such as digitalization, energy, mobility systems, aerospace, cultural heritage, and agriculture
- Discern the processes and stages of public policy production in different institutional
contexts - Critically analyze the impact of technological change and innovation on both the economy and society
- Recognize and interpret the social, economic, legal, and cultural preconditions related to technological development
- Analyze the links between technological change and public policy in all the various contexts that technological innovations can shape
- Assess existing or new public policy interventions in response to social, economic, legal, and environmental issues arising from the use of new technologies
- Design public policy responses to targeted questions in different technological and institutional contexts at a country-based level, to promote sustainable value creation through technological innovation
- Identify the new economic and social challenges posed globally by innovation and digitalization and transform them into new opportunities for all.
Methodology
The Master's programme is a one-year intensive blended-learning offering, consisting of one distance learning and four classroom-taught modules. To minimize disruption of the participants’ ongoing job obligations at home, full classroom attendance is mandatory for only four months of the programme in a synchronous and/or in person.
The Master merges theoretical and practical learning methodologies that are designed to engage and motivate students. The unique learning path offered by this programme ensures an extraordinary transfer of knowledge and practical competencies with a multidisciplinary and applied approach.
Participants interact with their environment through a hands-on learning experience, which includes case studies, workshops, active visits to research centres and labs, group works and policy laboratories.