Agile Government in the Digital Era

Online 5 July to 2 August, in Tartu on 4–11 August, 2023
NB! Travel day 3 August

This summer course focuses on public administrations, their change, and how the ongoing digital transformation of their public service delivery is approached and multiple crisis situations are dealt with. We will first provide a theoretical and practical overview of the core approaches, then dive deeper into the analysis and application of agile work practices that are necessary for digital transformation. The students will then explore these topics with government practitioners and present their findings. In a flipped classroom format, students will build learning teams and at the same time learn how to apply agile work practices simultaneously. We are combining an online phase with an onsite visit at the University of Tartu in Estonia and provide an immersion experience in arguably one of the most advanced digital societies in the world.

The course is supported by the ECePS ERA Chair, that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 857622.

Focus area:

Digital Governance, Public Administration, Politics

Coordinating unit at UT

Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies

Study Field: Politics and Governance in the Digital Age Course Leader Prof Vincent Homburg, Professor of e-governance
Format Summer Course Location online and in Tartu, Estonia
Course dates: 5 July - 2 August online
4 August - 12 August on-site
Apply by: 30 April 2023
ECTS: 7 Fee: 650 EUR
Study MA/PhD, advanced BA Language English
Lecturers

Prof Vincent Homburg, University of Tartu

Dr Mihkel Solvak, University of Tartu

Prof Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia

Prof Ines Mergel, University of Konstanz

Prof Joep Crompvoets, KU Leuven

 

Application is closed.

 

Independent reading in July: Students will have material to individually work through before the in-person part of the school. The students will be divided into groups and under the guidance of their supervisor they will start working on their group assignment. There will be occasional online meetings and short lectures throughout July. Exact programme will be available from February 16th.

In person on 4–11 August, 2023, in Tartu, Estonia with lectures, meetings and fieldtrip to digital governance organisations and institutions of Estonia to learn first-hand from practitioners

Entry requirements:

  • Online application form
  • Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
  • Transcript of academic records
  • Copy of passport

PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.

Students completing the course will:

  • Understand the essential aspects of agile governance and politics
  • Have an overview of key elements of planning and implementing a human-centric digital governance and digital leadership
  • Be familiar with the essential structures and platforms of e-government
  • Gain insight into governance of digital transformation initiatives in Belgium, Germany and Estonia
  • Be aware of how both e-democracy and e-government can be applied in modern governance situations and the effect of disruptive technologies on society and governance.

Examination format: Group assignment (pass/fail)

Two weeks prior to the start of the programme an information file will be sent to all participants. This file contains the daily schedule and relevant contact information of the programme managers.

Students are responsible for their travel, accommodation and travel insurance (visa arrangements if needed) from their home country to Tartu and back to their home country. It is recommended to visit the Tartu Welcome Centre website and arrival and housing section to find accommodation opportunities.

Did you find the necessary information? *
Thank you for the feedback!