Science, Technology, and Public Policy program announces new director, welcomes applications

September 20, 2016

We are pleased to announce a new director of the University of Michigan's Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) graduate certificate program and to welcome applications from interested students. 

Associate Professor Shobita Parthasarathy, along with former U-M President Jim Duderstadt, founded the STPP program in 2006 with funding support from the Dow Family Foundation. Parthasarathy has remained engaged with the program ever since, and we are delighted to welcome her back as director.

The Science, Technology, and Public Policy program offers a graduate certificate to roughly 25 students per year. To earn the certificate, students complete five courses, including three core courses at the Ford School.

The program's interdisciplinary environment brings together students studying public policy, engineering, natural resources and environment, the physical and natural sciences, public health, information, and other disciplines.

These students develop a deeper understanding of the politics and policy shaping current science and technology and gain focused expertise that is helpful in a variety of policy areas with a strong scientific or technological component—including climate change, food policy, health policy, and national security,

Learn more about the STPP certificate program and the application process. The fall application deadline is October 15; the winter application deadline is February 15. 


Professor Carl Simon, who has led the STPP program for several years, stepped down at the end of his term last winter. We are so appreciative of his good work and ongoing engagement with the STPP programparticularly his continued support of STPP students.