Beyond The Classroom

Forum is a cornerstone of life at the School of Public Policy, an open door to the conversations shaping our world. Each week, students, faculty, alumni, and leaders from across sectors come together over a lunch hour to engage with the ideas and challenges shaping our world. From climate change and governance to innovation, security, and global development, Forum connects you to the people and dynamics shaping change locally and globally, and invites you to be part of the dialogue.

Academy is a professional development series with specialized sessions focused on critical, transferable skills. From leadership, communication, and problem solving to digital literacy, metacognition, and management, we’ll help you build capacity beyond the classroom. A blend of interactive workshops and practical learning, Academy develops the mindset and skills to navigate complexity and drive change. Why? Because real impact comes from more than academic knowledge; it comes from how you show up and make things happen.

Guest speakers are a dynamic part of the MPP experience, both in the classroom and through dedicated speaker series. Throughout the year, students hear directly from policy leaders and subject-matter experts who offer insight into emerging issues, governance, regulatory trends, leadership, and more. These sessions connect students to the current policy landscape and spark meaningful conversations that enrich learning and broaden perspective.

The MPP Mentorship Program pairs students with experienced professionals across government, industry, and the nonprofit sector for personalized, one-on-one guidance over eight months. Through structured meetings, policy events, and targeted goal setting, students gain valuable insight into potential career paths while developing the professional and leadership skills needed to succeed. By bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application, the program provides a powerful opportunity to build confidence, expand networks, and explore the future of public policy alongside accomplished mentors.

Capstone partnerships create the chance to collaborate with government, industry, and nonprofit organizations on real-world policy challenges. These projects allow students to apply their policy training in a practical setting, contribute meaningful insight, and gain experience working alongside professionals in the field. Each partnership adds depth to the capstone and strengthens the connection between academic work and real-world policy needs.

Offered in partnership with the Government of Alberta, the Alberta Policy Internship Program provides Master of Public Policy students with a valuable opportunity to gain direct, paid experience within the Alberta Public Service. Each spring, up to 10 students are placed in six-month internships that offer immersive exposure to the inner workings of government and the real-world challenges of policy development.

Interns contribute to areas such as energy, health, economic development, and social policy—applying their academic training in practical, high-impact roles. Working alongside senior public servants, students gain a deeper understanding of the policy process, expand their professional networks, and develop skills essential for leadership in public service.

This initiative reflects the School of Public Policy’s strong commitment to experiential learning and career readiness. For many students, the internship serves as a direct bridge to long-term employment and plays a vital role in launching policy-focused careers across the public sector.

In addition to the Alberta Policy Internship Program, students in the Master of Public Policy program may also pursue internships through the University of Calgary’s Transformative Talent Internship program, offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. These optional, paid opportunities allow students to gain experience in government, industry, and nonprofit settings while applying their policy skills in a professional environment.

From time to time, organizations also approach the program with internship opportunities, and some students independently secure placements based on their interests. While not a formal requirement of the program, these internships offer valuable exposure to real-world policy work and can enhance both learning and career development.

The University of Calgary is recognized as Canada’s entrepreneurial university, fostering a culture where innovation, creativity, and problem-solving are part of the student experience. The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking brings this vision to life, offering students from every faculty a place to collaborate, explore ideas, and launch initiatives with real-world impact. Through workshops, pitch competitions, mentorship, and interdisciplinary programs, the Hunter Hub helps students develop the skills and mindset to lead change—whether in startups, social ventures, or established industries.

Our Canadian Governance Policy area of focus was established early in 2025 to provide rigorous evidence, shared knowledge and bold ideas to address critical questions about how Canadians govern ourselves in a rapidly changing world.     

We will bring together the best minds from academia, government and business to develop policies for the future of our country with a global perspective. Our focus is on federal-provincial and Interprovincial relations, internal trade, social inequality and Indigenous Reconciliation.  

Our Energy and Natural Resources area of focus conducts interdisciplinary research to address key energy issues and develop practical advice for policymakers around opportunities and challenges around the responsible development of the country’s diverse energy resources.    

We have an unrivalled ability to tap into leading experts from industry, regulators, scientific councils, and governments for expertise and insight to address policy issues with resource development, access to markets and address environmental impacts. 

We partner with a variety of organizations to co-create rigorous and relevant public policy knowledge. If you are interested in discussing potential partnerships, please reach out.

The Fiscal and Economic Policy area of focus addresses economic growth and prosperity providing the economic expertise and policy solutions that are the foundation for the school’s reputation. We draw on top academics and leaders in the public and private sector to provide analysis and develop practical policy solutions to improve the lives of Canadians.    

Our research focuses on the intersection of international trade and macroeconomics, with a particular focus on the factors influencing productivity within and between countries and providing practical solutions to economic challenges. 

We partner with a variety of organization to co-create rigorous and relevant public policy knowledge. If you are interested in discussing potential partnership, please reach out.

Canada’s health and social systems are essential to its prosperity and well-being—but too often, they operate in silos, falling short of being truly integrated, accessible, and sustainable. The Policy Centre for Effective Health and Social Systems Policy at the School of Public Policy is a national leader in designing, evaluating, and supporting the delivery of these systems.

Our mission is to improve the lives of Canadians by developing systems-focused policy options that work, not just in theory, but in practice. Through a transdisciplinary approach, we address some of Canada’s most complex challenges and pressing opportunities: supporting youth and adults with disabilities or mental health needs, tackling poverty and homelessness, accessing primary care, and supporting newcomers.

We combine rigorous analysis with direct engagement of those who deliver and rely on health and social systems, collaborating to enhance their effectiveness.

Where other policy areas focus on productivity and economic growth, our emphasis is on shared prosperity: strengthening systems inside and outside government to ensure that every person in Canada, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance, can thrive.

At its core, the Centre’s members ask: How can we build systems that support societal prosperity, health and wellbeing for all Canadians, across all stages of life?

Our International Policy area of focus will address trade and policy agendas in areas of strategic focus for Alberta and Canada – primarily, North America, and the Indo-Pacific region including China. Canada’s national security and defence, including Arctic sovereignty, are other areas of focus.  

We collaborate with leaders in business, government and academia to develop a practical program of international policy studies focused on security and defence as well as the economics of international policy, particularly issues related to trade.