The first Finnish based crisis communication researcher in the CCTT, Professor Chiara Valentini: “My membership brings exposure to the Finnish crisis communication research”
The Crisis Communication Think Tank is a non-profit initiative, hosted by the University of Georgia, USA. It has developed by Professor Yan Jin and now together with Professor Toni van der Meer it is expanding internationally. The idea is to bridge research-based knowledge with the needs and insights from those who must address increasing challenging situations in their organizations.
The membership to the think tank is only by invitation.
- I have been working for the past few years with dr. Yan Jin, a renowned crisis communication scholar in the project COVID-19 Voices in Finnish News Media in the Global Context, which I was leading. Dr. Jin was part of our advisory board. So, I became familiar with the activities she was running with this think tank already some time ago, and she also became aware of the work I and the Jyväskylä team have been doing. Dr. Jin was particularly interested in having some representative from the Nordic region, given the approach we have in addressing crises, says Chiara Valentini.
- Dr. Jin also knew I was interested in broadening the scope of my crisis communication research to include more global issues and relations with professionals. So, this early research collaboration helped to get to know each other and expand the opportunities for other collaborations we were both interested in.
New instruments to increase crisis communication knowledge
The think tank has developed several instruments to expand crisis communication knowledge. It has an annual event for members-only, where members meet to discuss, plan and work on specific topical issues. Insights from these meetings are later shared with the think tank community. It regularly produces publications for professionals and wide society based on research findings.
- The think tank collects and analyses data and provides crisis solutions and insights to different stakeholders, it also engages students and young researchers in studies addressing critical situations, thus supporting the teaching and education of future generation of crisis communication specialists, introduces Valentini.
The collaboration benefits both professionals and scholars
The think tank intends to bring together scientists with professionals to brainstorm, share, and collaborate in studying crisis phenomena and in finding research-based solutions. Some of the critical situations faced nowadays are called ‘sticky crises’ because they do not seem to resolve easily, and they can be sticky like glue.
In the very past crisis was something was addressed in occasional situations, now crises are part of the normality, and organizations of any kind cannot plan activities without having a crisis management plan or more multiple ones.
- As many colleagues have said before, crises are continually occurring and some are posing additional challenges, especially in our highly polarized society with very divergent opinions. Not to mention the increasing problem of disinformation and fake news, and the pressing global challenges related to support democracy, peace and sustainability which are all difficult issues to address. The think tank is working on these topics in a collegial and collaborative manner. Since problems are complex, only through multiple views and angles these problems can be addressed, says Valentini.
The think tank operates in a way that it promotes continuing learning and education from both directions.
- Professionals can get a hold on new research findings, and scholars can get a hold on challenges of professionals and shortcoming of existing knowledge. This, I think, is a very nice objective and one that can bring value to all parties involved, adds Valentini.
How does it feel to be a member of the CCTT?
- Since the CCTT membership is by invitation only, based on an individual’s recognized leadership status and contributions to academic research and/or industry practice in the crisis, it surely feels to have a great privilege to be part of this small, international group of crisis communication experts. As per now, I am the only crisis communication scholar based in Finland who has been invited, so it is a great honor for me to represent our institution, JSBE, and broadly Finland in this international collaboration, says Valentini.
- Finland is not a big country, but there are few scholars doing crisis communication research with very interesting work. I hope that my membership can bring some exposure to the Nordic, and more specific Finnish crisis communication research and practice and at the same time hope to be able to work hands-on-hands with most renown crisis communication experts in addressing some of the current and future challenges we face and use this insights into my teaching and education of future Finnish and international crisis communication professionals here in the country.
