As the coronavirus outbreak continues to have an impact across the globe, the sheer amount of information about the virus – combined with all of the uncertainty and questions it poses as we start to build towards a new version of normal - can feel overwhelming. We’ve pulled together some of the helpful content we’ve come across to help you navigate this uncertain time.
Cranfield faculty share thought-leadership on changes, challenges and how we might move forward from this crisis.
Returning to a new normal: Dr Ruth Massie discusses the questions leaders need to ask themselves to articulate their organisation's new normal, start thinking forward and succesfully plan ahead.
Dr Thomas Budd, Lecturer in Air Transport Planning and Management at Cranfield, discusses how technology could help the aviation industry to recover from the COVID-19 crisis and comments on what the future of air travel could look like for passengers.
A new report authored by Pool Re and Cranfield's Professor Andrew Silke examines the potential short and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on terrorism.
Dr Stephanie Hussels discusses how vital entrepreneurship will be to kickstart the post-coronavirus economic recovery in this article published by Business Because.
In a letter published in the Financial Times, leading academics from Cranfield have called for a new approach to resilience in the UK - stating that, alongside the lessons learnt from the response to COVID-19, there are wider lessons to be learnt about how the UK identifies and responds to risks.
“Environmental data can play a huge part in managing the effects of COVID-19 and helping lead a green recovery from this pandemic.” Cranfield faculty have hosted a series of digital sprints, collaborating with scientists around the world to develop digital tools that can help to track and understand the effects of COVID-19, and help lead to a greener post-pandemic future.
Cranfield has led research, involving a series of in-depth interviews with industry executives, to provide an early assessment of the medium- and long-term impact of COVID-19 on air transport for passenger and cargo traffic.
Professor Graham Braithwaite discusses how the shock to the aviation industry that COVID-19 has caused could help to improve connected resilience, providing an opportunity to learn from mistakes, and become more successful.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risk-loaded nature of global supply chains. Professor Richard Wilding OBE shares five ways to prepare your supply chain for a post-COVID-19 world.
Writing in the leading academic journal, Nature, Cranfield academics are calling for global resilience to be shaped around the ‘Five Capitals’ – identifying the need to address silos between Government, organisations and businesses that mean risks are not anticipated quickly enough.
As lockdown measures are eased, a team from Cranfield University are leading a rapid study of air quality throughout the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge arc, aiming to measure the impact of increased human activity on air quality in the region.
Why will some people refuse to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Dr Robby Allen, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Defence Management and Leadership and Deputy Director of Masterships in Management and Leadership, cites Reactance Theory to explain people’s tendency to resist out of desire for their autonomy.
Professor Joe Nellis responds to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s summer statement economic package, and raises questions over what the take-up of the £1000 “furlough bonus” will be among struggling firms.
Cranfield scientists are collaborating in research to develop a standardised UK-wide system for detecting COVID-19 in wastewater, in order to provide an early warning of future outbreaks and reduce reliance on costly testing of large populations.
Dr Duncan Hodges responds to reports of an attempted Russian cyber-attack to capture COVID-19 vaccine research, warning that the group of hackers are highly likely to have had some form of success.
Informative webinars and podcasts from Cranfield
Throughout the crisis, Cranfield Business Growth have been hosting a series of online workshops and free webinars as part of their Business Growth Response Programme, providing guidance, expertise and practical advice to help owner-managers of SMEs to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, stabilise and look to the future to build back better. Find out more about upcoming webinars and the next phase of the programme here. Previous webinars are also available to watch on demand. Coming up:
Facing the new reality: In this podcast Ido van der Heijden, Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Management, shares insights into managing fear and how the lock down can be used as an opportunity to reflect, develop ourselves and strengthen our networks. Listen now.
How to keep key customers close during uncertain times. As part of the Cranfield School of Management 'Ask the Expert' podcast series, Dr Sue Holt shares her thoughts on navigating customer relationships in an ever-changing landscape. Listen here.
The Cranfield Executive Development Knowledge Hub is home to a range of recent articles and thought-leadership pieces from faculty, discussing topics including leadership, stakeholder apathy and economic recovery. Access the latest posts here.
Cranfield Executive Development have also recently published a paper 'Personal resilience and working from home', which researched the experiences of those working in jobs that don't fit into the traditional working day and addresses how we can create boundaries between work and non-work life. Find out more and download the paper here.
Cranfield alumni podcasts
Leadership on-the-go podcast series
Now, more than ever, strong leadership is key. Our Leadership on-the-go podcast provides first-hand, in-the-moment leadership insights from Cranfield alumni across a variety of fields and industries – from aerospace, to management, to manufacturing.
Alumni Matters miniseries
In a new three-episode miniseries, Patrick Dunne - MBA alumnus and author of Boards - discusses the impact of the coronavirus on boards, their behaviour, people and corporate sustainability. Download all three episodes here.
Aviation alumni portraits podcast
In this podcast series, Cranfield alumnus Maxime Debry (MSc Air Transport Management 2018) speaks openly to fellow Cranfield alumni about their career paths, decisions and ambitions. As well as inspiring and informing you about potential career paths, you'll also get practical advice on how you can improve your career prospects in the aviation industry. Maxime and his guests also discuss the future shape of the aviation industry following the Coronavirus crisis. Download the first episode with Julian Carr (MSc Air Transport 2002), Aviation Director at Manchester Airport.
Online alumni meet-ups
Cranfield alumni volunteers from our global community have started organising online meet-ups and virtual panel discussions to help each other to stay connected and informed, often featuring alumni and other guest speakers as they share insights on a variety of topics. Keep an eye out on the events page for upcoming virtual meet-ups.
Cranfield alumni expertise
In March, we shared posts across our social media channels calling for our alumni community to join together and make connections to share their wide-ranging knowledge and expertise to help each other navigate the challenges and uncertainty that the global coronavirus pandemic has presented us with. We’ve already had some of our alumni joining the conversation, and offering up their expertise. Please do join our Cranfield University Official Alumni Network LinkedIn group to access and offer alumni-to-alumni support. You can also head over to our Facebook, Twitter and School of Management LinkedIn group to share your experiences, connect with fellow alumni and hear the latest news from around the University.
Colin Pinks (MBA 2003) has been in touch to let us know that he is happy to offer up his time and experience to help out charities, small businesses and essential support services over the coming weeks should they need guidance on Managing Projects, Resilience or Collaborative Working. Colin is happy to be contacted directly either on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinpinks/) or by email: colin.pinks@gmail.com
Bob Bradley (MBA 1989), Managing Director at MD2MD SME Leadership Development, has offered support on best practices for leading a business through a crisis. Join the LinkedIn group to access Bob’s post and start a conversation.
Got something to share, a question to ask or just want to offer some solidarity to your classmates? Use the hashtags #CranfieldAlumniConnected and #CranfieldCommunity to keep the conversation going.
Other helpful content
Five ways to better manage change during COVID-19. Lin Coughlin shares five proven strategies to better manage change during COVID-19 – helping you to transform, and to thrive in the coming months.
How to make virtual meanings more meaningful. Adam Grant discusses how to re-imagine online meetings to bond virtually with co-workers and avoid feeling disconnected.
Tips for managing a remote workforce. With a sudden shift to more people working from home, managers face a new set of challenges in supporting and staying connected with a newly remote workforce. In this LinkedIn article, Darren Murph and Brendan Browne from Gitlab (a company with the world’s largest all-remote workforce) share tips on transitioning to a temporary remote workforce.
Recruiting? How to successfully use video interviews to find your next hire.
In order to adjust to social distancing measures, transitioning from in-person interviews to video interviews may be necessary. Find out some top tips for adjusting your interview technique and making the most of the technology available.
Managing disruption: Alaina Love shares five practices for managers and leadership teams to put in place to lead their teams through a period of crisis.
Productivity: how to tap in to your ‘flow state’ and get more done.
Coping with stress: how to triage your ‘crazy busy life’ – tips from an ER doctor.
Build Back Better: explore a range of TED Talks in this series featuring thought-leaders and change agents as they evaluate how we can create a more sustainable and efficient world post-COVID-19.
Access an earlier version of our content summary to see how Cranfield faculty reacted to the COVID-19 crisis as it unfolded and for more helpful resources.