The Danger of the Narratives we Use to Silence: Grenfell and the Rebel Residents
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The Danger of the Narratives we Use to Silence: Grenfell and the Rebel Residents
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.
JMJ Master Consultant Gill Kernick, shares her insights about the narratives used to silence individuals meaning critical information is not used in making key decisions.
Published by the Cambridge Bennett Institute for Public Policy, who are committed to rethinking public policy in an era of turbulence and growing inequality.
In February, Gill co-hosted a workshop with the Bennett Institute focussed on why we fail to learn from catastrophic events and bring around change. The workshop bought together a range of different experts in a safe space. A report released on the third anniversary of Grenfell Tower Fire, captures the output of the workshop called ‘Policy Lessons from Catastrophic events'. Narratives used to silence individuals was one of the barriers identified for the inability to learn from catastrophic events.
Gill lived on the 21st Floor of Grenfell Tower from 2011 to 2014 and on the 14 June 2017, watched it burn. Seven of her former neighbours died. The fire killed 54 adults and 18 children.
Gill promised to do what it takes to ensure we learn from the disaster and speaks and writes about how we can prevent catastrophic events.
At JMJ we work with organisations to tap the tacit and distributed knowledge and intelligence of the entire workforce to solve complex challenges such as safety, quality and sustainability.
Read and download a copy of the 'Policy Lessons from Catastrophic Events' report .
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.