European Studies on Society, Science and Technology is a master program in English at Maastricht University.
The emergence of new technology - such as smart phones and social networking, nanotechnology, robotics, sustainable energy, and (dis)ability and technology - opens up both opportunities and threats to modern societies and economies. Citizens, governments, businesses and universities face great challenges when trying to take advantage of the seemingly infinite opportunities of scientific and technological innovations, not least because of the unintended consequences that may accompany them. Convinced that 'innovation' cannot be captured by economics alone and that a purely technical approach is not enough in understanding today’s knowledge society, ESST focuses on the governance, sustainability and cultures of innovation from a multi-disciplinary approach.
The ESST programme explores the interrelated worlds of the scientist, engineer, politician, and citizen by examining the values, language, history, politics, and economics of our modern cultures of innovation. Furthermore, the global, multicultural, and environmentally conscious perspective of the program develops ethical awareness and public responsibility.
Therefore the analytical focus of ESST is on:
- The political and cultural analysis of the modern knowledge society
- The social and economic analysis of different cultures of innovation
- Ethical reflection on scientific and technological development
Since 1992 ESST provides the knowledge and skills necessary for understanding and managing the complex issues of modern innovation. The programme approaches these problems from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, political studies, cultural studies, innovation studies, social studies.
Location: Maastricht, the Netherlands
Duration: 1 year
Main Subjects:Introduction in Society, Science and Technology Studies, Science and Technology Dynamics
Possible careers: at governmental agencies and NGOs, advisory bodies, e.g. think tanks, health councils, private research institutes, e.g. sustainability centres, commercial companies or consultancies specialising in science and technology and innovation
Admission requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a relevant academic field (high quality of performance in previous education)
- Legalized translation of the bachelor diploma (if not in English)
- CV
- Motivation Letter
- Writing sample, i.e. an essay in English, written by the applicant, either for this application or for earlier studies or other occasion
- IELTS with minimum 6.5, or TOEFL with minimum 90 or CAE or CPE
For more information please click HERE.