Reflections on crisis management: panel discussion at Tampere University

On October 7, a panel discussion was held at Tampere University (Finland) to open the crisis management course of the SAFER programme. The discussion took place within the framework of the OVERCOME project, funded by Nordplus.

Anne-May Nagel, from the Crisis Research Centre, participated in the panel as one of TalTech’s representatives. The discussion focused on students’ questions concerning the nature and practical challenges of crisis management and resilience. The panel marked the launch of a course in which TalTech, together with colleagues from Tampere University and the University of Agder, is testing a new learning materials bank developed for a microcredential in crisis management and resilience.

The discussion was primarily based on questions submitted by students before and during the session. Prior to the panel, students also took part in a short survey on crises, the results of which showed strong interest in various types of crises – most often political, economic, health-related, and operational. As key solutions, students emphasized clear communication, flexible pre-agreed action plans, network cooperation, and learning from mistakes.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists underlined that crisis management is not only about reacting, but also about learning, adapting, and recovering. As was noted during the discussion, a crisis is not merely a breaking point, but also an opportunity to find a new balance and strengthen resilience – at the individual, organizational, and societal levels alike.

The Crisis Research Centre thanks the OVERCOME project partners for a meaningful discussion and looks forward to receiving feedback from students who will engage with the microcredential materials during the course.

Photo: discussion at Tampere University (Taltech, 2025).

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