JMJ Co-hosts ‘Policy Lessons from Catastrophic Events’ Workshop with Cambridge University’s Bennett Institute for Public Policy
JMJ Co-hosts ‘Policy Lessons from Catastrophic Events’ Workshop with Cambridge University’s Bennett Institute for Public Policy
JMJ Co-hosts ‘Policy Lessons from Catastrophic Events’ Workshop with Cambridge University’s Bennett Institute for Public Policy
On the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, the Bennett Institute for Public Policy released a report 'Policy Lessons from Catastrophic Events' The report captures the output of a workshop held in February 2020, which focused on why we find it difficult to learn from Catastrophic events.
Could an interdisciplinary group start to identify the barriers and begin to generate ideas for shifting them?
One of the overriding conclusions of the workshop was the importance of hearing and acknowledging a wide range of different voices when considering complex problems. As one of the workshop attendees put it: “There was so much expertise in the room, each bringing different parts of the puzzle, and because we were all from different communities, there was almost no ‘siloing’ into disciplinary groups.”
The report sets out the findings from the workshop, including identifying reasons contributing to our inability to learn from catastrophic events and we can improve. Including:
- Ensuring that there is a clarity of purpose and shared sense of endeavour amongst stakeholders
- Focussing on developing a learning culture rather than a culture of blame
- Creating safe spaces or forums where learning and effective practice can be shared and experienced
- Developing a sense of chronic unease and understanding the risks associated with low probability, high impact events
The lessons identified apply to any complex problem. Right now, we are experiencing the same failures with COVID-19. For example, there is the failure to learn lessons from previous health crises or even from simulated exercises designed to ensure preparedness. There are lapses in co-ordination between different authorities responsible for different aspects of managing systemic risks. There is a strong incentive by decision makers to avoid future blame.
We continue to see failures on the part of policymakers and regulators to learn and implement the lessons from successive crises. Now is the time to listen and learn.
Read and download a copy of the report here.
Bennett Institute for Public Policy, Cambridge University
The Bennett Institute for Public Policy launched in April 2018. The institute's goal is "to become a world-leader in achieving successful and sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing problems of our time". The Institute conducts high-level academic and policy research. Their research connects the world leading work in technology and science at Cambridge with the economic and political dimensions of policy making. Committed to outstanding teaching, policy engagement, and to devising sustainable and long-lasting solutions.
Learn more about JMJ’s approach to cultural transformation.
Gill designs and delivers bespoke change programs for large complex organizations and works as a strategic partner with C-Suite clients. She is passionate about developing leadership capability and culture and believes that the voice and tacit knowledge of the front line are strategic cornerstones for the prevention of accidents.
Her work in high-hazard industries focuses on enabling safety as a driver of broader organizational change. Gill has a significant interest in major accidents and is working to ensure the learnings from high-hazard industries are applied, following the Grenfell Tower fire (the largest fire in the United Kingdom since 1945, tragically killing 72 people).
Gill works across sectors including oil and gas, project management, mining and pharmaceuticals. The scope of her work ranges from executive coaching, to strategy and values deployments, to large scale strategic safety leadership and culture programs.
A sought-after speaker, she has been a guest on the BBC’s “Today” program. Gill frequently publishes papers, including for Cambridge University’s Bennet Institute of Public Policy and the London School of Economics. She hosts a blog ‘The Grenfell Enquirer’ to enable and encourage authentic debate and learning and has recently been commissioned to write a book on systemic change.
Her views are sought by civil servants, academics, regulators and policy think tanks. Gill is both a consultant and an executive coach – working with individuals and teams.
She attended the University of Natal with an Honors in Business Administration (cum laude) and is a qualified executive coach.