Social Sciences and Digital Data
Class: LM-88 R -
Call for Applications (NON-EU students) - A.Y. 2025/26
Non-EU students: 7 January 2025- 7 March 2025
Please check the Call for admissions for non-EU students
- EU students and Non-EU students already residing in Italy: 7 March 2025 - 7 April 2025 - APPLICATION PLATFORM
Please check the Call for admission for EU students
This Master's degree program, which is transdisciplinary in nature, is delivered in English and in a blended mode at the Padua campus. It provides students with advanced skills in analyzing, interpreting, and utilizing digital data across various social and economic sectors. The program integrates sociological, statistical, computer science, psychological, philosophical, economic, and educational disciplines with laboratory work, preparing students to understand not only the technical aspects but also the social, political, and ethical implications of digital data use in global and multicultural contexts. Graduates will be able to enter work environments in various fields: from education to research, from innovation to business, from healthcare to communication, with roles that involve the use of advanced analysis techniques (digital methods, machine learning, generative artificial intelligence) and collaboration with other specialists in data science.
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Characteristics and objectives
The Master's Degree in Social Sciences and Digital Data offers interdisciplinary training aimed at developing advanced skills in analyzing, interpreting, and utilizing digital data across various social and economic sectors. The program integrates sociological, statistical, computer science, psychological, philosophical, economic, and pedagogical disciplines, amounting to 120 ECTS. This interdisciplinary approach equips students not only with technical expertise but also with a critical understanding of the social, political, and ethical implications of digital data use in multicultural and global contexts. The program combines in-person and online teaching, ensuring flexibility and collaborative learning experiences. Tools like Moodle, Kaltura, and Zoom support digital education, while platforms such as Miro and Padlet facilitate innovative methodologies like learning by doing and the flipped classroom. Internationalization is a core feature, thus English is the shared language; the presence of international students enriches the educational environment with diverse cultural perspectives.
A key component of the program is the range of workshops, allowing students to deepen technical and methodological skills. The internship, which is tailored to individual needs and linked to the final thesis, bridges theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling students to apply analytical and methodological expertise in real-world settings. The thesis, in particular, integrates the competencies acquired during the program, offering an opportunity for critical and professional reflection.
Occupational opportunities
The program prepares professionals capable of analyzing and understanding the dynamics of the digital society, blending sociological and methodological expertise. Graduates can work in fields such as education, communication, economy, politics, healthcare, and innovation, employing advanced analysis techniques (digital methods, machine learning, generative artificial intelligence) and collaborating with specialists such as data scientists and statisticians. The main professional roles include:
- Digital Innovation Strategist: an expert in designing digital strategies who combines social and technological analysis to drive digital transformation in organizations. This role involves also assessing the ethical, economic, and organizational implications of technological innovation, promoting the inclusive and sustainable use of new technologies. The strategist leverages digital data analysis to define objectives and strategies for organizational and entrepreneurial development, including constructing future scenarios.
- Digital Data Strategist: a specialist in managing, analyzing, and ensuring the quality of digital data. This role involves collaborating with data scientists, decision-makers and project managers to ensure datasets meet the operational needs of companies and public institutions. It also includes mediating between technical analysts and decision-makers, as well as interacting with AI applications to evaluate the reliability, adequacy, and ethical sustainability of outcomes. Graduates will be equipped for strategic and interdisciplinary roles in high-tech, data-driven sectors, meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
