P34 Governing Through Crisis: Adaptive Public Management in Contexts of Conflict, Instability, and Extreme Events

Panel Member(s) & Contact Details

Christina Barsky, Associate Professor, University of Vermont, USA. Email: Christina.Barsky@uvm.edu

Lauren McKeague, Assistant Professor, University of Montana, USA. Email: Lauren.McKeague@mso.umt.edu

Daniel Green, Regional Continuity Manager, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, USA. Email: Daniel.Green3@FEMA.dhs.gov

Alex Ingrams, Associate Professor, Leiden University, The Netherlands.

Shahjahan Bhuiyan, Professor of Public Administration & Associate Dean, The American University in Cairo, School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, Egypt. Email: sbhuiyan@aucegypt.edu 

Summary

This panel explores how public management evolves in response to extreme events and violent societal conflicts, focusing on the adaptive strategies, governance innovations, and cross-sector collaborations that emerge in crisis. It brings together research on emergency response, resilience-building, and institutional adaptation in regions facing climate disasters, geopolitical instability, and governance shocks. By integrating insights from these environments, the panel aims to advance understanding of how public managers navigate complexity, foster equity, and sustain public value under pressure.

Description

Public managers across the globe are increasingly operating in environments shaped by extreme events—ranging from climate-driven disasters and pandemics to violent conflicts and governance breakdowns. These crises test the limits of institutional capacity, democratic resilience, and cross-sector coordination, demanding innovative and adaptive responses that go beyond traditional models of public administration.

This panel investigates how public management adapts in the face of both acute disruptions and chronic instability. It examines the interplay between short-term crisis response and long-term institutional transformation, highlighting the roles of state, civil society, and market actors in shaping governance outcomes. Drawing on diverse contexts—from wildfire-prone regions and emergency response systems to conflict-affected societies — the panel invites contributions that explore:

• Innovations in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery
• Governance adaptations in conflict zones and fragile states
• Community-based and participatory approaches to resilience
• The role of technology and digital platforms in crisis management
• Cross-sector and transnational collaborations for managing crises
• The influence of societal norms, values, and geopolitical dynamics on governance
• Strategies for balancing transparency, accountability, and rapid decision-making
• Comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives on crisis governance

Relevance

This panel directly engages with IRSPM’s 2026 theme by addressing how public management must evolve to meet the urgent challenges of our time. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research, inclusive governance, and adaptive leadership in navigating crises that threaten institutional stability and societal wellbeing. By bridging scholarship on conflict, disaster resilience, and innovation in public service, the panel contributes to a deeper understanding of how public managers can build more responsive, equitable, and resilient systems.