Learning from crises: How research leads to change in crisis management
Evaluations and research reports provide valuable insights after crises, but how can we ensure that these lessons actually lead to improvements in crisis management and disaster response?
This question will be central to the event, which will be held in Dutch, Learning from Crises: From Research to Change, on Thursday, 16 January 2025. This interactive session, organised by Leiden University and the Dutch Safety Board, will explore how lessons from crises can be translated into structural improvements.
Recognition as the basis for change
According to Wout Broekema, Assistant Professor at Leiden University, effective learning begins with recognition. ‘It is important that organisations recognise themselves in the recommendations of an evaluation report. Broadly supported conclusions increase the willingness to change.’ However, political pressure and issues of blame can complicate this process. ‘Some recommendations require large-scale system changes,’ Broekema explains. ‘This demands intensive cooperation between organisations, political support, expertise, and patience. Incorporating lessons into, for example, training programmes, courses, and exercises can help ensure these lessons are applied in the long term.’
Trust and involvement are crucial
Yannick Balk, Secretary at the Dutch Safety Board, discusses the balance between distance and involvement. ‘Research institutions must remain independent, while simultaneously demonstrating sufficient engagement to ensure their recommendations are effectively implemented.’ He points out that trust is crucial in this regard: ‘A trustworthy relationship with involved parties promotes open communication, decision-making, and ultimately the effective implementation of recommendations. It is also important to be transparent about the follow-up to recommendations and to actively involve stakeholders.'
In addition to trust and recognition, concrete and actionable recommendations also play an important role. Balk emphasises that recommendations that are too theoretical are difficult to put into practice. A clear plan and monitoring of follow-up can strengthen this process.
Learning in Practice
The practical experience is highlighted by Rozemarijn Hartkamp from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. She explains how a large organisation can systematically learn from crises, including through peer evaluations such as those of a ‘critical friend’.
‘Crisis management at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has been more centrally organised since 2020, including the evaluation and learning from crises,’ Hartkamp says. ‘The Evaluating, Improving and Monitoring (EVM) department has since conducted about 45 evaluations and has primarily become wiser in practice. This begins with formulating findings and recommendations. These must be as concrete as possible and focus on opportunities rather than blame. Moreover, it is important that these are not only developed by the evaluator, but especially by those who need to work with them.’
Hartkamp also highlights the importance of an internal monitoring process within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management: ‘This ensures that success factors for implementing improvements are made clear, allowing us to work effectively towards structural improvements.’
From report to reality: Learning from crises together
During the closing panel discussion, Wouter Jong, Assistant Professor and moderator, will bring together the different perspectives. The panel will also include Erik Schrijvers (Professor of Crisis Management at the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety) and Scott Douglas (Council Member at the Dutch Safety Board). Together with the audience, they will address the central question: How can we ensure that reports and evaluations actually lead to changes in the world of crisis management and disaster response?
The event offers a unique opportunity to explore this question. From trust between organisations and research institutions to the practical challenges of implementation: how can we learn and improve together? Join us on 16 January and take part in the discussion of these challenging issues.
Text: Benedicte Dobbinga