![College Crest](/wp-content/uploads/logo-01.png"){kind=logo}
Join the Trinity Policy Programme
Our fully funded programme gives you the chance to apply your academic skills to tackle significant public policy challenges, focusing on key “wicked problems.”
Beginning every January, the 10-day programme is split into two halves and takes place immediately before and after Full Lent Term.
It is open to Trinity students across all disciplines. We invite applications from:
• all undergraduates
• postgraduates studying for either a Master’s or PhD
What is the Trinity Policy Programme?
The Policy element of TrinityPlus focuses on helping students connect their academic studies to addressing complex “wicked” policy problems – difficult social and environmental challenges characterised by complexity, uncertainty, and conflicting values. It is designed to give students the opportunity to learn how to apply their academic skills to tackle significant public policy challenges, to enhance those skills by learning about the policy making process, and to transition to careers in public policy, public service and research.
The Trinity Policy Programme offers 20 students that chance to join a fully funded residential programme that offers unique opportunities to connect with leading practitioners and to learn new skills.
• Build your creative confidence by showing you how you can make meaningful contributions to tackling major social and environmental challenges.
• Learn essential skills for a future career in public policy, social innovation and research, including collaboration and communication.
• Apply your academic expertise to real-world challenges, using innovative concepts and tools.
• A stimulating mix of teaching, panel discussions and group exercises led by Programme Director Dr Rob Doubleday with guest lecturers.
• You’ll meet practitioners from government, civil society and business, along with alumni and Centre for Science and Policy fellows. External trainers will introduce you to design thinking, futures thinking, collaboration and communication, and run group exercises. There will also be time for reflection, mentoring and career planning.
• A trip to London will give you an enviable opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament and key UK government departments in one day, where you’ll learn more about government responses to key public policy challenges. Last year’s trip included visits to the Foreign Office and HM Treasury.
• There will be a running theme of “wicked problems;” social or cultural problems that are difficult to solve because of their complex and interconnected nature.
• They typically lack clarity in both their aims and solutions and are subject to real-world constraints which hinder risk-free attempts to find a solution — for example climate change, persistent poverty and geo-political instability.
• Participants will have the opportunity to apply for small grants to support projects during the summer that are connected to the broad public policy themes discussed throughout the programme.
• Dr Rob Doubleday is Executive Director of the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Christ’s College. CSaP promotes the use of evidence and expertise in public policy through creating opportunities for public policy professionals and academics to learn from each other.
• Prior to joining CSaP, Rob carried out research on the governance of science and lectured on science and technology policy in the Department of Geography. Rob has also worked in government to promote the use of academic research in policy making.
• Rob studied Chemistry (BSc, Imperial College); Science and Technology Policy (MPhil, University of Sussex); and Geography (PhD, UCL). He studied at the Harvard Kennedy School on a Fulbright Scholarship and was a postdoc on social and ethical aspects of emerging technologies at the Department of Engineering, Cambridge.