In this interview, we speak with Mike Saker, Programme Director for our MSc in Data, Policy and Society.
Academic interests and expertise
Can you tell us about your academic and research background?
During my undergraduate degree, I developed a strong interest in emerging technologies, and the effect these technologies might be having on how people experience their lives. This culminated in me completing a PhD at the University of Southampton, which was jointly supervised across the sociology and the computer science departments. My thesis explored the prevalence and societal implications of location-based applications. During this period, I also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE) and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). In 2017, I joined the Sociology and Criminology Department, where I have taught a range of modules that examine the various ways emerging technologies and data both shape and are shaped by society. This focus has informed my research. I am a named collaborator at the Niantic x RIT Geo Games and Media Research Lab, where I am involved in several studies exploring the sociological impact of mobile media and locative games in everyday life, alongside VRARXR technologies and applications.
What inspired you to specialise in your current field of study?
I specifically remember mobile phones beginning to change in the early 2000s. My interest intensified when GPS was eventually incorporated into these devices, which suddenly allowed physical environments to be overlayed with digital information. Through new applications, people could access locative information as they traversed their surroundings, which had various consequences for related mobilities and social connections. These developments also produced a new and lucrative digital economy, as the ubiquitous of locative data became increasingly important to various companies, organisations and interested parties. The relationship between the physical and digital has continued to develop with new VRARXR devices. It is my interest in these devices and the various advances that surround them, which inspired me to specialise in this field of study.
What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring students?
Working in Higher Education is a huge privilege — one that I never take for granted. It is massively rewarding to watch students develop their passion for new subject areas, and in doing so, build their confidence, competence and capabilities. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to witness a suite of students go onto a variety of interesting and inspiring careers across a range of industries. I guess this touches on what I enjoy about the process. Learning doesn’t just equip students with new skills, it can change who they are and shape what they go on to do. Observing the transformative capacity of learning never gets old.
Why this course?
What makes this postgraduate programme unique within its field?
There are many things that make this programme unique, but I will try to focus on one. This programme combines the theoretical, conceptual and practical expertise of both the Department of Sociology and Criminology and the Department of Computer Science. This combination not only sets us apart from related programmes but underlines our deep understanding about how society is evolving. In short, organisations no longer want individuals who can simply grapple with data — as important as this is — but instead want individuals who can grapple with data, while asking critical questions about how this or that technology might impact or influence society. In other words, we have reached a juncture where new technologies should be complemented with advanced research skills utilised to explore what impact these technologies might have on the everyday lives of future generations. These considerations are hugely important. Our programme emerges from the conceptual shifts that unpin this juncture.
What support is offered to help students transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study?
Everything we do is predicated on the provision of an unrivalled student experience. From start to finish, we ensure students are fully supported and able to flourish. This support arrives through individual programme members, the wider team, and the countless services City St George's have in place to support student across their academic journeys. Equally, this support doesn’t end when students graduate from our programme. As part of our growing alumni network, we remain on hand to provide support and advice as and when needed. If you have any specific questions about this, please do get in touch. We are here to help.
Are there opportunities for students to tailor the programme based on their specific academic or career interests?
When we were developing this programme, we specifically wanted to give students a pedagogic structure that would allow them to tailor their programme to their career aspirations. This can be seen in the range of core modules, core elective modules, and elective modules on offer. While resonating with the central themes that support this programme, students can pick and choose modules that best express their interests. In a similar vein, the programme concludes with a dissertation module where students can parlay these interests into an individual project that showcases their skillsets, capabilities and knowledge.
Career paths
How does the programme help students develop skills for their future careers, whether in academia or industry?
Students will develop a range of skills that will allow them to succeed in academia, through further research, or within industry. Viable careers following this programme include, social policy advisers, qualitative/quantitively data researchers, user experience analyst, data policy advisor, data insight manager, or a data strategist, to name but a few possible career paths from a much wider pool of options. Regardless of what students ultimately choose to do with the skills they develop, we will be there to offer advice and support every step of the way.
Tips for offer holders
If you could highlight one thing that students should look forward to in this programme, what would it be?
Students should look forward to developing their confidence, knowledge and competences within a supportive environment that is specifically tailored to their interests and career aspirations. Following on from my comments above, student will graduate from this programme with a suite of abilities that can be readily applied to a variety of environments.
What advice would you give offer holders as they prepare to join this course?
Applicants should keep up to date with developments in the wider field. More precisely, I would keep an eye on news stories about Artificial Intelligence, for instance, or how concerns about social media and data privacy are changing. These stories will provide insights into how the field is advancing, as well as what topics might be prevalent when applicants begin their journeys with us. Equally, I would suggest keeping a look out for updates from both the Department of Sociology and Criminology and the Department of Computer Science.