From Policy Theory to Real-World Impact: How Public Leaders Can Shift Strategy in 2026

From Policy Theory to Real-World Impact: How Public Leaders Can Shift Strategy in 2026

As we reflect on 2025 and look toward what’s next in 2026 for public policy, it’s important to remember that progress should be measured by the impact policies have on people's everyday lives - and not just the story that statistics may tell. Leading LSE faculty, including Professor Daniel Berliner, Course Convenor, and Dr. Ryan Jablonski, Course Co-Designer, emphasise that effective governance now requires mastering both policy strategy and the ethics of emerging technology.

Public policy matters because it reflects the very people it’s designed to help and shapes how societies address complex issues like inequality and health care access. But public policy is undergoing a profound transformation. Global challenges such as climate change, economic turmoil, and the disruptive potential of AI are reshaping what it means to govern effectively. Today’s policy professionals need more than technical expertise – they need the judgement to weigh trade‑offs, the skills to evaluate evidence, and the leadership to make decisions that inspire trust.

The LSE Public Policy Strategy: From Design to Evaluation online certificate course is designed to equip professionals with that expertise. Over 20 weeks, this public policy strategy course prepares professionals to move beyond theory and design and implement policies that deliver meaningful impact.

Why the field of public policy is changing

Across the UK and internationally, citizens are demanding greater transparency and accountability from their governments. Policymakers are expected to respond not only to traditional institutional pressures, but also to new dynamics of participation and technological innovation.

AI and digital tools promise to make government more efficient, but they also pose risks of bias and opacity. Behavioural science offers ways to nudge citizens towards better outcomes, yet it raises questions about autonomy and fairness.

This online public policy strategy course responds to these shifts by empowering participants to lead with both analytical and ethical clarity.

From analysis to leadership: What this public policy strategy course covers

The course is delivered in two parts: Public Policy Analysis and Public Policy Transformation, supported by LSE’s online campus in collaboration with GetSmarter.

• Part One grounds participants in the essentials of policy design and evaluation, and the quantitative skills needed to interpret evidence.
• Part Two moves into innovation and technology, exploring behavioural public policy, data-driven governance, and the challenges of AI in policy making.

Designed for working professionals, this course emphasises practical application and real-world relevance.

Assessment focuses on applied projects—policy briefs, evaluations, and simulations—to ensure the learning is immediately transferable to senior policy contexts.

Why this matters now

In 2026, policymakers must find ways to embrace technological innovation while protecting democratic values. From statistical decision making in welfare systems to behavioural interventions in health, the choices made today will shape public trust for decades to come.

For policymakers globally, the ability to address challenges like climate security and the governance of emerging technologies requires a new level of strategic collaboration and expertise in legitimacy and transparency.

Who this course is for

This course is tailored for:

• Senior‑level professionals in government, NGOs, and think tanks shaping policy agendas
  Civil servants and advisors seeking to build credibility as decision makers
• Professionals in the private sector who engage with regulatory environments or contribute to policy debates
• Individuals wanting to explore a global policy and gain an international network of peers

Why LSE

For over 130 years, LSE has been at the forefront of social science, committed to understanding the causes of things for the betterment of society. The School of Public Policy combines academic rigour with practical insight, offering participants access to internationally respected experts in politics and government.

The LSE Public Policy Strategy: From Design to Evaluation course draws on this tradition, bringing world‑class faculty expertise into an online format. Participants don’t just learn theories of governance – they learn how to apply them in ways that make institutions more accountable, policies more effective, and societies more resilient.

 Shaping the future by understanding today

The work of public policy is about bridging the gap between aspiration and action. This online public policy strategy course equips participants to do exactly that. By combining analytical frameworks with emerging technologies, it ensures that participants leave not only with new skills, but with the judgement to apply it responsibly.

Want to explore this course further?

Learn more about the Public Policy Strategy: From Design to Evaluation course and see how it could help take the next step in your career.