Department Public Administration

Alumni portal 

Welcome to the Department of Public Administration at University of Twente, where we embark on a transformative journey at the crossroads of governance, technology, and societal progress. Our mission is to shape leaders, policymakers, and public managers who not only understand the complexities of modern governance but are also equipped to navigate the intricate relationship between technology and society. 

At the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), we are a bunch of tech-savvy social scientists eager to make the world a better place. We’re quite as excited about the wonders of humanness as we are about the powers of technology – and by bringing people and tech together in innovative, responsible and value-creating ways, we help them both become better versions of themselves.

  • What we do/our identity

    Today's societies are characterized by societal and technological transformations and disruptions that present unprecedented challenges. Consider environmental change and energy transition, international migration, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and the current crisis of democracy. These challenges are driven by technological and political-administrative change and require interconnected technological and political-administrative solutions. 

    Not surprisingly, governments play a key role in designing such solutions. Technological solutions cannot be effective and legitimate without a good understanding of the workings of government and public organizations, of political decision-making and public policy. The success and failure of technological solutions to societal challenges often have their roots in politico-administrative processes. For example, administrative traditions and bureaucratic procedures usually seen as obstacles to technological innovation can also be essential to safeguarding democracy and the rule of law.

    For a technology university, it is essential to understand how political-administrative processes work and the rationales behind such processes. Technologies and designed solutions often succeed or fail due to a lack of such understanding. For example, the use of artificial intelligence in the public domain requires new scientific understanding of the risks these technologies pose to democratic society. Cybersecurity is an international challenge that requires a deep understanding of political-administrative cooperation and policy coordination among governments around the world. Public administration is the academic discipline that provides such insight and understanding.

  • About us

    Our department is responsible for research and teaching in the field of Public Administration in the contemporary technological context of a Fourth Industrial Revolution. We aim to contribute to the development of a digital, fair and sustainable society from the perspective of Public Administration. Our research and teaching focuses on how the major societal and technological challenges of our time are addressed by governments and governance institutions. Such challenges include sustainable development, artificial intelligence, big data, algorithmic governance, data protection, smart cities and governance reforms. We engage the perspective of globalization and localization of governance in a technologically transforming world. The Public Administration Section is a group of researchers with expertise in the subdisciplines of Public Policy, Public Management and Public Governance in a strong methodological setting.

    • Understanding the role of technology in society: In an era marked by technological advances, we delve into the profound impact of technology on governance. Our programs explore the intersections between technology and public governance and offer insights into managing complex challenges in areas such as sustainability, crisis management, immigration and (cyber) security.
    • Addressing complex societal challenges:Curious about how governments and public organizations are tackling complex problems in our interconnected world?Explore our undergraduate MS&T and graduate PA and graduate ES research and education programs that delve deeper into the strategies used to address challenges ranging from environmental sustainability to crisis response, immigration policy and the ever-changing landscape of (cyber)security.
    • Engaging visuals: Engaging Learning Environment: Immerse yourself in our learning environment by taking our courses that capture the essence of commitment to knowledge. Our topics showcase the dynamic intersection of technology and public administration and invite you to be part of a learning environment dedicated to shaping the future.
  • Our mission

    The Department of Public Administration contributes to the core of this mission by addressing political-administrative, social and technological challenges through the development of public policy, public management and public governance - shaping an equitable, sustainable, resilient and digital society in the face of multiple and conflicting stakeholder interests. Its public administration research and teaching focuses on shaping connected communities, sustainable environments, better health care systems, governance for a resilient world and shaping a digital society. Its research and teaching are characterized by an emphasis on transforming political-administrative systems, embedding new technologies in the public domain and blending public administration with society and technologies. The Department of Public Administration brings social and technological issues into the world of public administration and integrates and collaborates with different knowledge domains and stakeholders.

    Public Administration mission and vision
    Shaping 2030
  • Engagement in societal challenges

    It is not surprising that our staff is asked to investigate major social issues. For example, the accident with flight MH17 and, at the request of the 2nd Chamber, the recently re-investigated fireworks disaster in Enschede.


    Detailed information about staff members, research projects and media activities can also be found via people pages.

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