State of Emergency: Part Two

163,164 TUTOR: Max Stafford (PhD)

A second edition of a successful course! Whether or not you have done State of Emergency before, you will be able to do this new set of scenarios. You will form COBRA/the Cabinet and be presented with a series of crisis scenarios throughout the week. This course is based around the idea of learning-through-doing (in this case, a simulation). You'll have an introduction to government and emergencies (nothing too heavy) at the beginning of the week. Students will then work through a different crisis each day. This is your chance to find out what it's like to be a minister and have to take those critical decisions. The course is guided by a tutor who previously worked as an advisor to former cabinet ministers.

Course Notes

A second edition of a successful course! Whether or not you have done State of Emergency before, you will be able to do this new set of scenarios. You will form COBRA/the Cabinet and be presented with a series of crisis scenarios throughout the week. This course is based around the idea of learning-through-doing (in this case, a simulation). You'll have an introduction to government and emergencies (nothing too heavy) at the beginning of the week. Students will then work through a different crisis each day. This is your chance to find out what it's like to be a minister and have to take those critical decisions. The course is guided by a tutor who previously worked as an advisor to former cabinet ministers.

* All sessions will begin with a full crisis briefing, conducted by the tutor (including the outlining of some options).

Monday (2 parts):

·Part 1: Introduction to how the course will run and assigning of roles to be assumed during simulations

 

·Part 2: Mini crisis session - a chance to "try out” the simulation.

Tuesday (1 large simulation)

Nuclear Incident: A small nuclear reactor has reported a breach of security in the disposal of their waste. A small portion of this has gone missing and is currently unaccounted for. This may be a false "incident” (caused by poor record-keeping on the site) or it could be more sinister. How will you respond? What are your immediate priorities? Can you work as a team to get Britain back to normal as soon as possible?

Wednesday (1 large simulation)

Parliament Has Fallen: The long-term neglect of Parliament's physical infrastructure has lead to its inevitable consequence. A major fire is currently spreading through Parliament. This has caused widespread disruption (both at the site itself and in the wider centre of London). How will you respond? What are your immediate priorities? Can you work as a team to get Britain back to normal as soon as possible?

Thursday (1 large simulation)

General Strike: Trades unions have commenced a general strike. They are citing a mixture of poor pay and difficult working conditions as the justification for their action. Public services and the private sector are grinding to a halt. In the meantime, the world is looking at the situation as an example of national embarrassment for the UK. How will you respond? What are your immediate priorities? Can you work as a team to get Britain back to normal as soon as possible?

Friday (2 parts):

·Part 1: Mini-crisis - Operation Menai Bridge - the King is mortally ill, and you must prepare for the transition to a new head-of-state.

 

·Part 2: Examples of how different governments have responded to crises. Course reflection.

 

Preparation:

No preparation is needed ahead of this course. However, students may, if they choose, wish to view use YouTube videos of interviews with former cabinet ministers, officials and journalists to hear about how ministers have reacted to previous crises. They are also invited to contact the tutor for suggestions of particular clips they can watch or reading that they can do if interested.

Equipment:

Students will not need any equipment though may benefit from bringing a pen and paper with them.

Course Tutor

Max Stafford

PhD

About Max

 

Dr. Max Stafford is a university lecturer and former political adviser. He currently does research into the role, significance, and evolution of the Downing Street Chief-of-Staff and is writing a book on this topic. He has published on a range of themes related to political leadership, policy innovations and British Politics. He previously worked for former cabinet ministers.

 

Bookings are currently closed.
Join our e-newsletter for a reminder when bookings open

Gift vouchers

Request a brochure

Summer School Entertainment 2024

News

Talking Stones

Rock, Paper, Scissors Brian Anderson has been a lecturer and course tutor at the Summer School...

More News

Summer School Dates for 2024

All courses run for 5 days

WK 1 8 Jul - 12 Jul

WK 2 15 Jul - 19 Jul

WK 3 22 Jul - 26 Jul

WK 4 29 Jul - 2 Aug

Morning Courses

9.15AM to 12.15PM

Afternoon Courses

1.45PM to 4.30PM

All Day Courses

9.15AM to 4.30PM