Trinity Launches New Technology Policy Minor with Sanford

Duke is introducing a new Technology Policy minor this spring, expanding academic options for all Trinity students interested in the intersection of technology, politics and society.  

The minor, a collaboration between Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the Sanford School of Public Policy, is designed to meet the growing demand among undergraduates for structured coursework that connects technological change to its broader public implications. 

Although the minor will be housed in Sanford, it is intended to serve students across Trinity’s disciplines. Many Trinity majors already navigate questions about information flows, digital ethics, privacy, and the role of emerging technologies, but lack a cohesive framework for exploring their policy dimensions. The new program aims to provide that pathway. 

“The new Trinity/Sanford School Technology Policy minor has been designed to invite students to explore deeper and more meaningful connections between technical knowledge and its impact on society,” said Ken Rogerson, Professor of the Practice in the Sanford School of Public Policy, who, along with David Hoffman, Steed Family Professor of the Practice of Public Policy, will serve as Directors of Undergraduate Studies. “We want them to learn to ask questions that others are not asking, preparing them for more thoughtful conversations about the impact of technology in both their professional and personal lives.” 

The curriculum is made up of five courses, beginning with two required classes: Introduction to Policy Analysis and Policy Choice as Value Conflict. These courses introduce students to the frameworks policymakers use to understand complex technological challenges and assess the trade-offs they entail. 

Students can then choose from a range of electives addressing topics such as the impact of technology on free expression and democratic institutions, the relationship between digital platforms and journalism, cybersecurity and privacy issues, and the role of public interest technology in addressing inequities. The electives are designed to link existing Trinity coursework in the sciences, humanities and social sciences with real‑world policy applications. 

In addition to its topical focus, the minor emphasizes practical policy skills. Coursework will introduce students to tools commonly used in legislative and regulatory environments, like stakeholder mapping, lobbying strategies, drafting technology policy memos, and analyzing draft bills. Faculty say these skills may appeal to students considering careers in government, technology companies, nonprofits, or research organizations. 

The program also complements several existing Trinity academic options, like the Digital Intelligence Certificate and the Computer Science minor. While those programs emphasize digital ethics, media literacy and technical skills, the Technology Policy minor centers on the political processes and policy debates that shape the development and governance of technology. 

With the addition of the Technology Policy minor, Trinity students will have a new avenue to examine how technology is reshaping public life, and how informed policy can guide that transformation. 

“This is another exciting opportunity for Trinity and Sanford to partner on a pathway for students to explore the evolving world of technology policy in meaningful and actionable ways,” said Gary Bennett, dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. “I envision Trinity students tapping into expertise and deep knowledge from across the two schools and integrating what they learn and experience into a range of disciplines.”