The programme addresses the complex issues facing society and combines modelling and data analysis with policymaking. Graduates will be able to analyse societal challenges related to sustainability and health and translate these into concrete, innovative policy proposals.

A clear mission
With the launch of Complex Systems and Policy, the UvA is responding to a growing demand within the professional field. Elisabeth IJmker, a curriculum developer at IIS, explains: “we focus on specific societal challenges such as the energy transition and health issues. For example, data and models show health differences between residents of Amsterdam Zuidoost and those living in the city centre. While new data analyses provide better information, proper policy making is needed to create real change. This programme is designed to train these policy makers.” 

Co-creation and collaboration with the field
The programme director is Vítor Vasconcelos, an assistant professor at the Informatics Institute and scientific co-lead of the POLDER centre at the Institute for Advanced Study. This centre examines and models interdisciplinary and complex issues and supports policymakers. Vasconcelos stresses the importance of students who can bridge technical expertise and policymaking. “To address these complex societal problems, good collaboration between various parties is essential. That is why students in this programme will work directly on real-life challenges with external stakeholders.”

Tackling societal issues
The programme places strong emphasis on the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to act as a bridge between science and policy, including handling diverse groups with conflicting interests. The programme collaborates with practitioners, such as municipalities, ministries, mental health organisations, and businesses. This enables students to design interventions that align with the realities of policymaking and implementation. These collaborations make the programme unique. Vasconcelos explains that by working together, the often-segregated worlds of science and practice are connected. Students will have the opportunity to work on real cases, preparing them for the challenges they will face in their careers.

Entry requirements
To enrol in the programme, students need prior knowledge in programming (10 EC), mathematics (10 EC), and social science (10 EC), amounting to a total of 30 EC. This broad prerequisite ensures that students from diverse academic backgrounds can join, creating a rich learning environment where various perspectives on complex issues come together.

Start in September 2025
The Complex Systems and Policy master’s programme has been positively advised to be accredited and will begin in the 2025–2026 academic year. Registration will open once the CROHO code has been assigned. Want to stay informed? Students can sign up to our newsletter. Are you an employee or interested party? Sign up for our internal newsletter by emailing csp-iis-science@uva.nl.