Northwestern establishes tech policy center with $1 million gift

Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy received a $1 million gift from the Kapor Foundation to establish the Center for Technology, Policy, and Opportunity. The center will lead a range of initiatives, beginning with a new interdisciplinary graduate program designed to address challenges arising at the intersection of technology, society and policy.

Debuting in fall 2025, the cutting-edge interdisciplinary graduate program, the Master of Science in Technology, People, and Policy (MTePP), is designed to equip leaders with the skills to navigate the complex intersections of technology, ethics and policy — focusing on areas including artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability and human development.

“This interdisciplinary program will prepare professionals with the capacity to address challenges and opportunities in the space of education, policy and legislation, and corporations — from job displacement to ethical dilemmas in AI to a host of other concerns,” said Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, dean of the School of Education and Social Policy and the Carlos Montezuma Professor.

The master’s program is the first of several initiatives that will be supported by the new center. Building on the work related to education ecosystems led by Nichole Pinkard, the Alice Hamilton Professor of Education and Social Policy, the center will offer certificates and micro credentials for high school and community college students as well as undergraduate and graduate students.

The work of the new center will extend beyond traditional graduate-level education by creating intentional pathways for students at various stages of their academic and professional journeys, including:

• High school electives: Programming for Chicago-area high schools and a chance for students to receive certificates from Northwestern University, introducing students to culturally responsive computer science, tech ethics and tech policy principles.
• Undergraduate micro credentials: Scalable credentials that prepare students across Northwestern and partner institutions, including community colleges, for careers in technology policy.
• Graduate certificates and degrees: Flexible, interdisciplinary graduate programs that align with cutting-edge research and policy needs, including AI and emerging technologies.

These offerings will draw on Kapor Foundation’s Equitable Tech Policy and Culturally Responsive Computer Science Education frameworks, ensuring a focus on racial justice and reducing inequities in the tech landscape.

“The rapid expansion of technology is transforming every aspect of our society, from the way we work to the way we connect and govern,” said Dr. Allison Scott, CEO of the Kapor Foundation. “Centers like the one at Northwestern are essential to ensuring that this transformation is guided by ethical principles, thoughtful policy and a commitment to equity. By equipping leaders with the tools to navigate these complexities, we can ensure that technological progress benefits everyone, not just a select few.”

The flexible hybrid master's program can be completed within one year, or students can enroll part-time and complete the program within two years. Most courses will be offered in a hybrid-synchronous format and can be attended in person or virtually, though orientation and the capstone symposium require in-person participation.

“New technology brings both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges,” said Sepehr Vakil, associate professor of learning sciences and the faculty director of the new center. “These graduates will combine technical skills with an understanding of people, ethics and policies, making them essential for helping governments, communities, schools and companies focus on people’s well-being as they adapt to the challenges of AI and technological transformation more broadly.”

Applications for the master’s degree are currently open, with the first cohort of students beginning their studies in fall 2025.