UCL’s STEaPP celebrates tenth anniversary

This September STEaPP is celebrating their tenth anniversary, and reflecting on how the department has grown since its launch in 2013.

The department, which sits within the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, was launched to explore, experiment with, and improve ways scientific and engineering expertise and knowledge are engaged with public decision-making and policy processes across all levels, sectors and cultures of our now globally interdependent societies.

Today, the department consists of many interdisciplinary academics and researchers who are working towards creating solutions to many of the world’s complex issues such as climate change, sustainability and digital technologies.

In the first years after STEaPP launched, the department offered just one degree programme, the Science, Engineering and Public Policy MPA. The department has grown throughout the years, and currently offers six routes within the MPA, including routes focused on innovation and policy in digital, development, climate, urban and health domains.

This year, STEaPP are also launching their first undergraduate programme, Science and Engineering for Social Change BSc, which will be taught at UCL East, UCL’s biggest development in UCL’s nearly 200-year history. 

STEaPP took part in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, where they were recognised for their ‘world-leading’ research in Social Work and Social Policy, as part of a joint submission with the Department of Security and Crime Science. In total, 87% of research from both departments was graded 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent).

“When I compare the STEaPP of today with those early years, as the department was establishing itself, the transformation is quite amazing. The progress made since then and the reputation that STEaPP has established in the field of Public Policy thinking is a great credit to all our colleagues, past and present, both academic and Professional Services, who have given so much over the last ten years: a job well done and more to come!”

Further reading:

REF 2021: Security and Crime Science and STEaPP ‘world-leading’ research recognised

UCL's Faculty of Engineering Sciences

UCL's Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP)

UCL East

MPA's at STEaPP

Science and Engineering for Social Change BSc