Crisis Communication Think Tank launches international programs in Europe

In September, the Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT) at Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication launched its inaugural international programs in the Netherlands. On Sept. 19, a team of CCTT U.S. members and partners led a crisis readiness executive workshop in Rotterdam based on a collaboration between the University of Georgia and Erasmus University Rotterdam. On Sept. 23, more U.S. members traveled to Amsterdam, where they, along with the U.S. headquarters and international members, joined the inaugural CCTT international annual member gathering.

Crisis Readiness Executive Workshop

The crisis readiness executive workshop on Sept. 19, led by Timothy Coombs, Jason Epstein, Yan Jin and Yijing Wang, engaged participants from the Netherlands and Belgium in a series of dynamic sessions on organizational crisis management. The event began with a panel discussion on “Understanding READINESS in Organizations,” exploring the complexities of “sticky crises” and the importance of proactive strategies. 

“The Crisis READINESS Workshop at Erasmus University Rotterdam brought together senior communication professionals from across Europe for a highly engaging session. The panel discussion on crisis READINESS, followed by a case study and hands-on simulation, sparked great interest and active participation,” Yijing Wang, associate professor, Department of Media and Communication of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, said. “The interdisciplinary approach, blending crisis communication and management, was highly valued by participants, who appreciated the added depth and relevance it brought to their executive training.”

Participants later engaged in a case study session, “The Importance of Being on Your Toes.” This emphasized the significance of a readiness mindset and aligning organizational values with decision — making for enhanced crisis resilience. The workshop concluded with a crisis communication simulation, “The Art & Science of Crisis Communication,” where participants practiced leadership and stakeholder management in crisis scenarios. The event left participants inspired by the interdisciplinary approach to cultivating readiness across various industries.

CCTT International Gathering

On Sept. 23, a group of members and core partners from the U.S. headquarters and international members from Europe and Asia gathered at the University of Amsterdam for the inaugural CCTT annual international meeting, bringing this year’s theme, READINESS, across the Atlantic and tying global perspectives into an elevated conversation around advancing communication management for a world of more complex conflict, risk and crisis. 

The day-long gathering included four practitioner-scholar-collaborated panel discussions:

“The Complicated, The Mindful, and The Antithesis”: Complex Issues in Readiness

• Led by Torsten Rossing, Augustine Pang, and Winni Johansen

• Moderated by Yan Jin

“Let’s Talk About the Art and Science”: Readiness in the Business and Private Sectors

• Led by An-Sofie Claeys

• Moderated by Bryan Reber

“Are You Prepared or Scared?”: Readiness in Public Sectors

• Led by Morgan Olofsson and Oyvind Ihlen 

• Moderated by Glen Nowak

“Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?”: Transatlantic Notes From U.S. Delegates

• Led by Timothy Coombs, Jason Epstein, and Greg Trevor 

• Moderated by Toni van der Meer

These sessions emphasized how crisis communication leaders can draw from each other’s practical experiences as well as from academic insights, fostering a more comprehensive global understanding of crisis management strategies.

Toni van der Meer, associate professor of corporate communication at Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR), University of Amsterdam, stated, “I am proud to consider the inaugural European session of the Crisis Communication Think Tank a great success. Not only did we work on bridging the gap between academia and the communication practitioners regarding the concept of readiness, we also attempted to build a bridge over the Atlantic ocean by bringing great minds from the US and Europe together. It was a great honor to host this international gathering at ASCoR, and we eagerly look forward to continuing this important dialogue in the years to come.”

At the end of the day, members engaged in a roundtable discussion hosted by Silvia Ravazzani and Yijing Wang. The program concluded with updates about future CCTT programming and growth. 

Charles Davis, dean of Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia mentioned, “I was honored to be included in the events at Erasmus University and the University of Amsterdam, and came away deeply impressed with the discussions. It’s remarkable what the Crisis Communication Think Tank has managed to build in such a short time.”

Authors: Lila Maiolo, Lili.Maiolo@uga.edu; and NaYoung Song, nysong@uga.edu