Graduate Students on the Fast Track to Tackle Global Challenges: Listen up!

What global challenges are likely to have the most severe impact on world society over the next 10 years? The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks 2023 report includes the following issues among the top ten: failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change, natural resource crisis, erosion of social cohesion and societal polarization, widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity and geoeconomic confrontation and conflict.

The list is intimidating, but, fortunately, there are far-sighted educational institutions that have readied to prepare idealistic and talented students to take on these global challenges. A look at the Masters Programs in Social Sciences of the Tel Aviv University (TAU) International Graduate School for Social Sciences reveals an almost direct correlation between their programs and the World Economic Forum’s top-ranked global risks.

Failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change? Take a look at TAU International’s MA in Social and Policy Aspects of Climate Change.

How to reconcile development needs of the world with scarcity in natural resources? Observe TAU International’s MA in Sustainable Development.

Erosion of social cohesion and societal, as well as international,  polarization? Explore TAU International’s MA in Conflict Resolution and Mediation.

Widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity? Consider TAU International’s MA in Cyber Politics and Government.

Want to understand the International system and be a part of the solution for Geoeconomic and Geopolitical  confrontation? Look at TAU International’s MA in Security and Diplomacy.

“Each TAU International MA program, taken by itself, provides an exceptional academic and pragmatic experience,” notes TAU Social Sciences Faculty Dean Professor Itai Sened. “But when you add the intensive interaction, diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration that occurs under the umbrella of the International Graduate School for Social Sciences and in cooperation with our partner institutions and prominent guest scholars, you get an academic synergy that is unparalleled.”

The TAU International Graduate School for Social Sciences hosts 10-15 world-renowned guest scholars annually, arriving from top universities including Oxford, Harvard, NYU, Sciences-Po and the European University Institute. Professor Paul Romer of NYU, 2018 Nobel Prize Laureate, is a Senior Professor by Special Appointment and a regular visitor.

It is currently applications and admissions season for these one-year (three semester) MA programs commencing in October 2023. Let’s take a closer look at the five intensive graduate programs, typically attended by a vibrant, intentionally diverse cohort of international and Israeli students.

MA in Conflict Resolution and Mediation

2020/2021 cohort visit to Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount in Jerusalem on a dual narrative tour (Courtesy of TAU).

Where could you find a more relevant place to master new, groundbreaking solutions to age-old conflicts than the heart of the Middle East? This graduate program provides all the tools you’ll ever need for effective analysis, mediation and negotiation for international and other conflict resolution, taught by leading experts with first-hand knowledge and experience in deep-rooted conflicts. This interdisciplinary program provides a 360-degree academic look at the phenomenon of conflicts from various angles: sociological, psychological, political, economic and legal. Graduates of this program currently hold positions in government, intergovernmental organizations, policy centers, human rights organizations and the corporate world as well.

MA in Cyber Politics and Government

Prof. Eviatar Matania, former Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate and current head of TAU’s MA in Cyber Politics & Government, celebrates the release of his book, “Cyber Mania,” with President Isaac Herzog (Courtesy of TAU).

In a world where the physical and the digital increasingly overlap, there is an ever-growing need to address cyber challenges on societal, governmental, corporate and organizational levels. Cyber leadership, however, weaves together a complex web of technology, governance and policy. Students in this graduate program are exposed to all the theoretical and practical tools they need to become leaders and strategic planners in the fields of big data and cybersecurity, those who make critical decisions regarding risk management, compliance, budget, reputation, policy and strategy. The program is led by Prof. Eviatar Matania, the former director general of the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) and features a faculty characterized by deep experience and leadership in the cybersecurity and policy fields.

MA in Security and Diplomacy

Students of TAU’s MA in Security and Diplomacy program tour an IDF base (Courtesy of TAU).

In an interconnected world, there is a pronounced need for knowledgeable leaders who can craft effective security and foreign policy on the global level. This MA program offers participants advanced theory and analytical tools along with “on the ground” security field trips and weekly forums with high-ranking diplomats and decision-makers. Situated in the significant diplomatic environment of the Middle East, this program is the perfect integration of intensive regional experience and insights with a global outlook and applications.

MA in Social and Policy Aspects of Climate Change

“Only regulation and legislation that succeed in fostering public awareness and support, mobilizing individuals and communities and facilitating real behavioral change will have a long-term, measurable impact,” explains Professor Dan Rabinowitz, head of TAUi’s Cilmate Change program. (Courtesy of TAU)

Five out of ten of the coming decade’s most severe global risks, as reported by the World Economic Forum, are related to climate change. Addressing climate change is on the agenda of every forward-thinking organization worldwide, from governmental to NGO to corporate. This new and unique MA program gives participants the knowledge, tools and experience they need to become policy makers who succeed in gaining public support and facilitating real behavioral change, or skilled experts who can construct and implement effective climate-related organizational policy. Program faculty include top researchers, leaders of environmental organizations in Israel and beyond, former Israeli MKs who have had deep involvement with environment-related legislation and other ideal instructors in crafting and implementing real-world climate-related policy.

MA in Sustainable Development

Prof. Hadas Mamane from the Faculty of Engineering (right) one of the leading lecturers in the program, meets with Balbir Singh Seechewal Guro who spearheaded an anti-river pollution campaign in Punjab, India, together with Prof Amit Dhir, Punjab India research on algae sewage ponds. (Courtesy of TAU)

Providing our ever growing global population with an environmentally sustainable and equitable supply of energy, water and food is a complex challenge. Participants in this MA program gain cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on experience in developing practical and innovative solutions to global sustainable development challenges. Courses address technological, cultural, psychological and economic-behavioral dimensions related to sustainability and equity, and the program engages directly with Israel’s technological innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem as it can contribute to sustainable development. The program culminates in summer semester fieldwork in Israel or with TAU’s international partners in Africa and Asia.

Tackling Global Challenges Through Global Partnerships

Proud graduates of TAU’s MA in Security and Diplomacy program looking forward to a bright future (Courtesy of TAU).

TAU’s International partnerships with leading institutions and experts throughout the world grow out of their deep-seated belief that future global leaders must have a broad, global perspective.

In addition to hosting guest scholars from top universities, the TAU International Graduate School of Social Sciences has built multiple collaborative programs with global academic powerhouses offering participants an opportunity to gain two MA degrees in two years, one from each university. The prominent partners for these collaborative programs include leading European universities such as The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)’ Bologna, and Sciences-Po Lille university in France.

“The focus in TAU’s International Graduate School of Social Sciences is on creating the next generation of bright young researchers, experts and policy makers, to be taught and guided by the world’s best researchers and expert practitioners in their fields.” (Courtesy of TAU).

Says Professor Sened, summing up: “The focus in TAU’s International Graduate School of Social Sciences is on creating the next generation of bright young researchers, experts and policy makers, to be taught and guided by the world’s best researchers and expert practitioners in their fields.”

If you aspire to be among the next generation of leaders and experts tackling global challenges, the MA programs at the TAU International Graduate School of Social Sciences are a natural next step.

Come gain the academic and practical expertise that will enable you to make a global impact. Find out more details on the above Masters Programs in Social Sciences and apply for the 2023-24 academic year. 

Learn more about Masters Programs at TAU Int’l Graduate School for Social Sciences