Sociology of Policy in Practice Leiden University

Overview

Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology: Specialisation Sociology of Policy in Practice
Are you eager to conduct policy-oriented research on issues of relevance to organisations? Do you want to combine ethnographic research with a 3-month internship?

Do you have excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills? Are you flexible and hard-working?

Then Policy in Practice is the right specialisation for you! The master's specialisation in Policy in Practice aims to address challenges faced by NGO's, government bodies, and commercial companies in relation to culture and diversity in today's globalised world. Particular emphasis is placed on complex processes of diversity, sustainability and digitalisation.

This specialisation enables you to gain relevant working experience by conducting a 3 month research internship in the Netherlands, Ghana, The Philippines, or another country.

What you will learn

The Policy in Practice specialisation provides students with the academic and professional skills required to independently design and execute research projects. Students will follow courses that consolidate the research process.

Cultural anthropologists and development sociologists are well-known for their curiosity for 'the other', for the unknown. They are specifically skilled in observing and analyzing social situations from different angles; approaching global as well as local issues open minded, yet having the ability to come up with creative solutions based on academic foundations. Their analytical qualifications and social science skills are wanted in all sectors: business, non-profit and governmental.

Career prospects

Positions our alumni hold

In some sectors, our graduates are represented more than in others, like the media industry, development organisations, the government, education, municipalities, art and culture industry, and scientific institutes.

Some examples:

* Researcher for projects commissioned by ministries, municipalities or professional councils;
* Development projects abroad, such as the Junior Professional Officers Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the United Nations;
* Staff member in non-profit organisations such as NOVIB, SNV and Greenpeace;
* Museums: as education officers or as curator involved in collecting, examining and exhibits that relate to culture and society;
* Communications officer, either in the non-profit or commercial sector;
* Municipalities: as advisor dealing with the implementation of policies regarding the multi-cultural society;
* Universities: teachin…

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.