Research
We study crisis management, crisis preparedness and civil protection, focusing on how crises are prepared for, how decisions are made and how experience is translated into learning. Particular attention is given to local-level capacities, the role of communities and the application of knowledge in developing practical solutions. Our research and development activities combine academic research, applied studies and collaboration with crisis management practitioners in Estonia and internationally.
Research Focus Areas
DECISION-MAKING IN CRISES
We study how individuals, teams and organisations make sense of situations and take decisions during crises and in their early stages of development. Our research examines uncertainty, sensemaking, factors shaping decision-making and the institutional context of crisis management.
LOCAL CRISIS CAPACITY
Local authorities are often the level of government closest to people during crises. We study how local crisis management is organised, how responsibilities and capacities are distributed, and how cooperation functions, as well as the factors that support or constrain local preparedness and response.
CIVIL PROTECTION
We study the role of communities and the local level in civil protection and crisis preparedness, including resilience hubs, community networks, and the capacity of individuals and organisations to maintain essential functions during crises.
ADAPTATION IN CRISES
Crisis management does not end when a crisis subsides. We study how organisations learn from previous crises and from the experiences of other countries, and how these lessons are translated into new practices, solutions and improved preparedness.
Scientific Presentations and Conferences
Our researchers also present their findings at international academic conferences. Selected presentations by year:
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2026. Preemptive policy learning from Ukraine: Local Adoption of Points of Invincibility in Estonia and Sweden. Finnish Political Science Association’s Annual Conference. University of Tampere, May 6-8, 2026, Tampere, Finland.
- Nagel, A-M. & Nagel, H. 2026. From Preparedness to Response: Operationalising Local Sensemaking through Resilience Hubs in Ukraine, Estonia, and Sweden. IRSPM Conference 2026, Edith Cowan University, April 8-10, 2026, Perth, Australia.
- Nagel, A-M. & Nagel, H. 2025. Coordination of crisis management co-delivery: case study of 2022 heavy oil pollution on West-Estonian islands. IRSPM Conference 2025: Civic engagement and social capital in contemporary public administration: facing the challenges of social equity and environmental sustainability, University of Bologna, April 7-9, 2025, Bologna, Italy.
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2025. Why were the matches ever allowed? Multi-level team sensemaking in crisis incubation period. IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025, International Institute of Administrative Sciences, February 10-14, 2025, New Delhi, India.
- Kostytska, S., Nagel, H. & Nagel A-M. 2024. Social media as a weapon in Russian information warfare: resilience framework built on lessons from Ukraine. ECPR General Conference 2024, University College Dublin, August, 12–15, 2024, Dublin, Ireland.
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2024. Team sensemaking in crisis incubation period: a case study of a superspreader event at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia. 40th EGOS Colloquium: Crossroads for Organizations: Time, Space, and People. University of Milan-Bicocca, July 4-6, 2024, Milano, Italy.
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2024. Case study of local level citizen engagement on the example of 2022 West-Estonian coastal oil spill crisis. Citizens and the State During and After Crises: The Dynamic of Institutions, Attitudes and Behaviors, University of Södertörn, May 23-24, 2024, Södertörn, Sweden.
- Nagel, A-M. & Nagel, H. 2024. Factors influencing joint sensemaking: A case study of a superspreader event in the incubation period of COVID-19 crisis in Estonia. 2nd POMAA International Research Seminar, University of Gothenburg, May 22-23, 2024, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2023. Public sector coordinated adaptation obstacles in COVID-19 crisis management – case study of Estonian municipalities. 1st IGCOORD Conference: Political Actors in Intergovernmental Coordination: Perspectives and Priorities. University of Eötvös Loránd, May 18-19, 2025, Budapest, Hungary.
Participation in academic conferences and professional seminars enables the Crisis Research Centre to bring its research findings into wider scholarly and professional discussion, receive feedback, and develop cooperation with researchers and practitioners from different countries. To support continuity and long-term development, these presentations also contribute to the advancement of our research areas and provide a foundation for new publications and collaborative projects.
Scientific Publications
Below is a selection of scientific publications by researchers at the Crisis Research Centre related to crisis management and civil protection. The publications are classified in accordance with the categories used by the Estonian Research Information System (ETIS), the national research information system of the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Estonia and the Estonian Research Council:
- Nagel, A-M. & Nagel, H. 2026. Team sensemaking in crisis incubation period: a case of a superspreader event in Estonia. NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, 19(1), pp. 133−162. DOI: 10.2478/nispa-2026-0006.
- Nagel, H. [ilmumas]. Elukalliduse mõju kriisivalmidusele: Kohtla-Järve ja Väike-Õismäe võrdlus. Turvalisuskompass, 10(1).
- Murumaa, T. & Nagel, H. 2025. Elanikkonnakaitse julgeolekustamine rahvusringhäälingu uudisteportaalis aastatel 2022–2024. Turvalisuskompass, 9(2), 89−117. DOI: 10.15158/a824-h073.
- Tamme, O. & Nagel, H. 2025. Elanikkonnakaitse arendamine koostööpõhise valitsemise kaudu: sisevaade 2023. aasta innovatsioonifondi. Turvalisuskompass, 9(2), 57−87. DOI: 10.15158/mzsk-ej26.
- Nagel, H. 2025. Kriisimälu instutsionaliseerimine After Action Review meetodi näitel. Turvalisuskompass, 9(2), 225−240. DOI: 10.15158/dryp-9m77.
- Nagel, H. 2022. Factors influencing local governments’ COVID-19 crisis decision-making: case study of the first wave in the Estonian municipalities. Studia Politicae Universitatis Silesiensis, 34(1), 27−46. DOI: 10.31261/spus.13287.
- Kostytska, S., Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2022. Ukraina avaliku sektori kohanemine Venemaa infosõjas – sotsiaalmeedia kui relv. Turvalisuskompass, 3(2), 67−99. DOI: 10.15158/tp8n-t697
Studies and Concepts
The list presents a selection of studies, reports, publications and concepts produced by the Crisis Research Centre. Where materials are publicly available, a link to the full text is provided; for restricted work, only publicly available bibliographic information is shown:
INNORESILIENCE 2026-2028
KRAKO 2026-2027
PIMA 2025-2026
CODES 2022-2023
- Nagel, H. 2026. The role of Urban Gardening in Food Security and Crisis Preparedness. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre; ISBN 978-9916-9237-7-1.
- Nagel, A-M., Nilsson, T. & Nagel, H. 2026. Points of Invincibility for Multi-Level Adaption. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre.
- Nagel, H. 2025. Apartment Building Community Crisis Preparedness Textbook. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre; ISBN 978-9916-9237-2-6.
Nagel, A-M., Phartenadze, G., Nilsson, T. & Nagel, H. 2024. TPCL project concept paper: post-crisis learning. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre.
- KRUK. 2024. Elering Risk Scenarios 2024–2027 [For Official Use Only]. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre.
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A -M. 2023. Research Report: Crisis Management of the 2022 Heavy Fuel Oil Ollution Crisis in Hiiumaa and Vormsi. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre.
- KRUK, 2023. Salaries of Healthcare Professionals: Review of the Election Programmes of Eight Political Parties. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre.
- KRUK, 2023. Shelters and Public Hiding Places: Review of the Election Programmes of Eight Political Parties. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre.
- KRUK. 2023. Salaries of Rescue Workers and Police officers: Review of the Election Programmes of Eight Political Parties. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre.
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2022. Research Report: Factors Influencing Decision-Making in the Saaremaa Crisis Management Team During the Second Wave of COVID-19. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre. ISBN: 978-9916-4-1289-3.
- Nagel, H. & Nagel, A-M. 2022. Research Report: Factors Influencing Decision-Making in Local Government Crisis Management Teams During the Second Wave of COVID-19. Tallinn: Crisis Research Centre. ISBN: 978-9916-4-1285-5.
Analysis and Knowledge Dissemination
Alongside academic research, our researchers publish professional and popular science articles as well as source-based analyses. The Crisis Research Centre’s podcast CRISIS SKILLS also supports the dissemination of knowledge to a wider audience:
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 01 – Elisa Jakson from the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 02 – Jaana Davidjants on Social Media
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 03 – Erki Naumanis on Cybersecurity
- CRISIS SKILLS podcast | 04 – Kadi Parve on Providing Psychological First Aid
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 05 – Elari Kasemets on Protecting Tallinn’s Residents
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 06 – Henri Kaselo and Joosep Mägi on the State of Civil Protection in Kohtla-Järve
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 07 – Mariia Tyschenko on the Challenges Facing Ukrainian Communities
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 08 – Hannes Nagel on Estonia’s First Crisis Preparedness Handbook for Apartment Block Communities
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 09 – Sergo Kohal on the Need for a Comprehensive Approach to Crisis Preparedness in Tallinn
- CRISIS SKILLS Podcast | 10 – The Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation on Emergency Go-Bags and Their Contents