Scoping Study Launched to Develop the First Master of Public Policy Program in the Nordics

Society faces major and complex challenges. There is an increasing need for individuals in politics and public institutions to be equipped with the right knowledge to address societal challenges and drive sustainable development. At present, the Nordic region has sparse higher education opportunities in this area. The Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), in collaboration with the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation, is therefore initiating a scoping study to explore the creation of the Nordic region’s first Master of Public Policy program. The results will be presented before the summer of 2025.

Since 2022, the foundation has maintained a strategic partnership with SSE through the House of Governance and Public Policy (GaPP) and the KAB Center for Governance. The long-term goal is to strengthen collaboration between academia, politics, and societal actors, ensuring that research and new knowledge benefit society.

– Creating an educational program in Sweden to tackle the complex challenges of today’s society has been a key part of our vision since the inception of GaPP. Taking this significant step toward turning these ideas into reality is very exciting, says Jonas Törnblom, Senior Advisor at the KAB Center for Governance.

SSE is highly ranked internationally and has a legacy of developing strong business leaders. However, opportunities are limited for those seeking education tailored for careers in the public sector and societal development.

– The Nordic region needs a globally recognized program in Public Policy to attract and retain top students, faculty, and researchers. Currently, these types of programs are primarily found in Anglo-Saxon countries, which drives students to leave Sweden, explains Karl Wennberg, Professor and Head of the House of Governance and Public Policy at SSE.

The scoping study will assess the demand, goals, and preferences of prospective students, as well as identify the skills and competencies sought by employers in public institutions and politics. It will also include a benchmarking analysis to gain deeper insights into how leading Public Policy programs in Europe and the United States are structured, their strengths, and opportunities for further enhancement. This will help design a future program in the most effective way.

The study will take place in the spring, with findings to be presented before the summer of 2025. These results will guide SSE in deciding whether and how to proceed with its plans for the new Master’s program.

– SSE has been highly successful in attracting and educating talent for the private sector, but a strong business community alone is not enough for society to thrive. Sweden also needs to develop skilled societal leaders, and we believe SSE is well-positioned to fulfill this need. That is why we have chosen to fund this scoping study, says Tor Bonnier, Chairman of the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation.