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From natural disasters to infrastructure failures, from technology fraudulences to public health emergencies, all nations, organizations and institutions are vulnerable to crisis. No doubt, our first hope when one arises, is on the leader. Effective leadership is crucial to diminish the negative impact any crisis may bring, and these extraordinary challenges call for extraordinary leadership.
The College of Public Policy (CPP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), has offered a timely course for Master of Public Policy (MPP) students to unpack the nexus between leadership, public policy, and crisis management.
Dr. Tasneem Amatullah, an instructor at CPP, who specializes in educational leadership, designed the online course to orient students with diverse leadership theories and practices, effective group dynamics, nature of crisis, and essential leadership skills and strategies to lead under stress and pressure. Students discussed case studies of controversial and timely public issues, applying theory to practice while also considering their own agency as influencers of policy in their contexts.
The first session of two guest sessions was held on June 16, with Dr. Mahauganee Shaw Bonds sharing her leadership experience during Hurricane Katrina in post-secondary institutions.
Dr. Mahuaganee Shaw Bonds, PhD
Guest Session 1: Dr. Shaw sharing her lived experiences during Hurricane Katrina in 2005
The second guest session was held on July 7 with Dr. Louise Michelle Vital, who enlightened participants with her research on leadership and management in the time of crisis with a special focus on the Haiti earthquake crisis of 2010.
Dr. Louise Michelle Vital, PhD
Guest Session 2: Dr. Vital engaging students with discussion prompts
Both sessions offered enriching experience to the MPP students with insightful discussions on the two speakers’ lived experiences, research evidence, and lessons learned for leadership, policy and practice.
