Master in Digitalisation in Work and Society

Is this the programme you're looking for?

If you’re interested in how digital technologies might reshape how we work, organise, and govern this new, multidisciplinary master track is the right fit for you.

The study programme in a nutshell

This master:

• Provides multiple perspectives and tools to study digital transformation technologies in the changing world of work.
• Is a new, multidisciplinary master that deals with technologies which have been at the forefront of the popular and academic imagination.
• Offers professional skill development to work in organisational contexts pervaded by technological innovations.
• Has dedicated professors from the fields of psychology, sociology, and public administration teaching classes together to offer different viewpoints.
• Organises field trips to organisations to get an understanding of current developments in the field.

What does this study entail?

If you’re interested in how algorithms (re)shape the way we work, how robotisation is changing relationships among people, or how platformisation is influencing our perceptions of organising and organisations, this master programme is for you. It deals with technologies which have been at the forefront of the popular and academic imagination, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms.

The programme elaborates on questions such as the type of work that is affected by these technologies and how, the kind of perspectives and (in)equalities this brings about and for whom, the ethical and privacy concerns that may arise, and how we might deal with the consequences of these technologies on the individual, organisational, and societal level. It provides you with tools to navigate these issues, to develop your own understanding of them and to be able to advance technological interventions or intervene in them.

Why choose this programme?

This programme:

• Provides multiple perspectives and tools to study digital technologies in the changing world of work (highlighting insights from psychology, sociology, and public administration).
• Is a new, multidisciplinary master that deals with technologies which have been at the forefront of the popular and academic imagination.
• Teaches you, among others, about digital transformation, work, platformisation, robotisation, sustainable employability, and virtual teams.
• Offers professional skill development to work in organisational contexts pervaded by technological innovations.
• Has dedicated professors from the fields of Psychology, Sociology, and Public Administration teaching classes together to offer different viewpoints.
• Organises field trips to organisations to get a thorough understanding of current developments in the field.
• Provides students from all backgrounds with the understanding and skills needed to contribute confidently to the future of work.
• Research of Public Administration at Erasmus University was ranked #4 in the ShanghaiRanking 2022Opens external.

The study program in a nutshell

Rapid digital transformations, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms, change the organization of work. This raises questions on the individual, organizational, and societal levels. For example:

• How does AI reshape collaboration and communication among employees?
• Are hierarchical relationships at work restructured by robotization?
• Does platformisation influence our understanding of self-employed workers?

The program provides you with multiple perspectives and tools to study digital technologies in the changing world of work (building on insights from Psychology, Sociology, and Public Administration).

Curriculum

This master's program offers both a theoretical and real-world understanding of the changing organization of work. We will provide many opportunities to apply classroom concepts to the real world, for example by going on field trips to organizations, formulating policy advice, and developing coaching and consultancy skills.

The specialization seminars will be taught by at least two professors, coming from different fields (e.g., a sociologist and a psychologist) to shed light on phenomena using different academic lenses, illustrating how this will yield different insights, all necessary to get a comprehensive understanding of digitalization in work and society. The classes will be taught in small groups with lots of room for discussion.

For your thesis you will have the opportunity to join a thesis group that will be supervised by two professors from different fields, again, to secure the multidisciplinary focus of this master and to provide you with a broad perspective. If you prefer to complete your thesis without a group, you will also be provided with two supervisors from different academic backgrounds.

The curriculum is subject to change. No rights can be derived from this information

Field trips

During the academic year, you will go on several field trips. Last year, for example, we went to the Port of Rotterdam. During a one-hour boot tour, we learned all about the increasing technology in the harbor. Apart from seeing what this master is all about in real life, these trips are a good way to get to know your fellow students and lecturers.
Mode of education
The program consists of 60 EC. It is comprised of one introductory course, two specialization seminars, one elective, and a thesis. Next to studying social scientific approaches from different fields (Psychology, Sociology, and Public Administration), you will be able to participate in field trips and seminars.

Electives

The program features some electives in block 2, but electives can also be selected from courses offered in other master specializations in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Administration.

Curriculum

Block 1

• Introduction to Organisational Dynamics in the Digital Society
• Social Science Research in Practice

Block 2

• Digitalisation: Work, Organisation, Politics
• Elective

Block 3

• Work Behaviour in the Digital Age
• Thesis

Block 4

• Thesis
• Electives

Program electives

• Artificial Intelligence: The Present and Future of Work
• Infrastructures of Power
• Personnel selection
• Sturing in de Hedendaagse Samenleving (NL)
• Political Attitudes and Behaviour in Context
• Families and Inequalities

Is this the right program for you?

Rapid digital transformations, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms, change the organization of work. This raises questions on the individual, organizational, and societal levels. For example:

• How does AI reshape collaboration and communication among employees?
• Are hierarchical relationships at work restructured by robotization?
• Does platformisation influence our understanding of self-employed workers?

The program provides you with multiple perspectives and tools to study digital technologies in the changing world of work (building on insights from Psychology, Sociology, and Public Administration).

Opportunities after graduating

In today’s society, it becomes crucial to understand how technological advancements shape the way we work, organize, and govern. Social science is needed to address how digital transformation affects people, organizations, and society.

This multidisciplinary master's will provide you with a thorough understanding of organizational dynamics in this world shaped by technology. It provides you with tools to navigate technological change, to develop your considerations, and it enables you to advance technological interventions or intervene in them.

International technology firms, consultancies, and HR strategy firms are some of the main employers of our alumni, for instance, IBM, Deloitte, and Randstad. In some of these organizations, graduates start their careers as trainees. Others start working for smaller, nationally operating firms or public organizations, among which specialized software consultancies or universities. Other companies were Kraft Heinz, Calco IT and Finance, Province of Zuid-Holland, Randstad, Take Away, and Brunel.

In sum, our alumni have landed in the following positions:

• Business analysts;
• Logistics analysts;
• Policy advisors;
• HR advisors
• (Transformation) consultants;
• System analysts;
• IT advisors;
• Public sector advisors;
• PhD candidates.

Other possible positions would be: innovation officer, trainer, researcher in a municipality or ministry; researcher in a social scientific advisory council.