MSc Social and Public Communication

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

Communication is at the heart of many of today’s social issues and challenges – from how we interact on social media to how governments communicate public health messages. To tackle these issues, we need to understand how communication works and why it sometimes fails. This programme, taught at our campus in London, covers the social and psychological aspects of communication, blending theoretical insights with real-world applications. We examine communication as a performative act, explore how communication shapes social representation, and discover how turn-taking and dialogue influence outcomes. Through theory, intervention testing and practical analysis, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the diverse roles of communication. You’ll gain the skills and expertise to tackle communication challenges and design interventions in a range of settings. Our students employ various techniques in their research, from field studies to in-depth interviews, machine learning and computational approaches to communication. We have close links with the LSE Behavioural Lab – so students can use facilities for eye tracking, virtual and augmented reality, experimental design, focus groups and other research. Our graduates have gone on to work in diverse fields, such as PR, marketing, government and NGOs.

Psychological and Behavioural Science