Interdisciplinary strength and symmetry from a diverse student body
RESET combines rigorous training in science and technology studies (STS) with project-based immersion in engineering, science, citizen engagement and policy-making. The program draws its interdisciplinary strength and symmetry from a diverse student body – with backgrounds in science, technology and engineering as well as social and life sciences, psychology and the humanities – and is aimed at students with previous work or research experience.
RESET students acquire broad and in-depth knowledge of theories, methods and techniques from various disciplines including STS, public policy, innovation studies, economics, law, media studies and ethics. Furthermore, they learn to reflect on STEM fields from a responsibility perspective.
SOME OF THE PROGRAM’S SPECIAL FEATURES ARE:
- Responsibility and responsiveness: A distinctive focus on the socio-technological dynamics and effects of innovation and research. In particular, graduates are able to identify and critically discuss social, economic, political, cultural and legal aspects of science and technology.
- An immersive and practice-oriented education: An innovative term structure and hands-on immersive learning based on case studies, projects and an internship foster new forms of collaboration across institutions and disciplines.
- Intensive academic support: Students benefit from small course sizes, in-depth discussions and individual support from RESET’s teaching staff. Furthermore, they get support from the Elite Network of Bavaria.
- International competitiveness: The language of instruction is English and international student groups and projects help prepare students for a global working environment. Students are able to acquire expert knowledge at the cutting edge of international technoscience research as well as extensive communication and project management skills. In addition, they have the option of doing their internship or a semester abroad.
CAREER PERSPECTIVES
In recent years, the fast pace of societal, political, economic, environmental, and technological transformations has been creating new and urgent challenges. RESET responds to these challenges by training students for public and private sector careers in ways that inflect advances in science and technology with questions of governance, responsibility, responsiveness, precaution, and care in innovation processes from agenda-setting to usage. This highly innovative M.A. program thus fulfills a growing and urgent demand for jobs at the intersection of science, innovation, and society, which we did not know existed a couple of years ago.
RESET graduates are qualified internationally for a wide range of career fields within governmental institutions, international organizations, innovative firms (both established companies and start-ups), NGOs, think tanks, consulting and academia. They are able to critically reflect upon and contribute to responsible research and innovation in emerging sociotechnical fields such as sustainable energy solutions, industrial biotechnology, biomedical health care, the Internet of Things, big data and urban infrastructure. Furthermore, the degree qualifies graduates to pursue advanced research on a doctoral level.
The program’s mandatory internship provides valuable insights into future career options. The following examples give a brief insight into possible tasks and fields of practice:
EXAMPLES OF INTERNSHIPS
Organizations: Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer Society, Siemens AG, Allianz SE, Acatech, IT University of Copenhagen, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, UNESCO World Heritage Center, Bayrischer Rundfunk, Biotech and IT Start-ups, local NGO initiatives
Departments: science communication, HR, innovation and project management
Tasks:
- assisting with the responsible introduction of artificial intelligence and digital technologies
- developing new sustainable products and services
- conducting own research
- international program management
- communicating new scientific achievements to the public