Our masters students supported with leadership and crisis management training
Posted on Monday 22 June 2026
The programme focused on navigating the complex operational realities of the peacebuilding and human rights sectors in times of crisis. Facilitated by York’s Nina Caspersen and Eric Hoddy, alongside external experts Nic Hailey (Executive Director at International Alert) and Executive Coach John Gray, the training bridged academic theory with frontline practice.
Read more about our masters’ programmes here:
MA International Relations and Human Rights
Leadership in times of crisis
With global challenges intensifying, the sessions emphasised individual character strengths, leadership styles, building values-based decision-making models and conflict management skills. The curriculum pushed participants to think critically about leading in volatile environments.
This training helped me better understand the role of values-based decision-making and how it can support teams in practical situations. Akane Minami, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies.
Key areas of focus included:
- Leadership and conflict styles: Engaging the different styles of leadership and ways we approach conflict;
- Character strengths: Identifying personal character strengths and aligning them with organisational needs;
- Leadership in times of crisis: Leadership during Covid-19 and the withdrawal of USAID funds;
- Live coaching: Utilising interactive, real-time coaching techniques and mindsets to lead and support colleagues;
- Scenario role-plays: Engaging in simulated decision-making challenges to engage dilemmas leadership and paradoxes and how to respond.
The discussions pushed me to think more critically about leadership in complex settings, and the live coaching session was a particular highlight. Harvey Depledge-Kittle, MA in International Relations
A collaborative, sharing workshop
One novelty was postgraduate students learning side-by-side with Human Rights Defenders, academics and practitioners. Participants described the experience as both challenging and deeply encouraging, identifying areas for their personal development and growth.
It was a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of leadership styles for peacebuilding and human rights purposes while learning alongside a diverse group of participants. Belques Al-Daeri, MA in International Relations and Human Rights
Co-facilitator and Executive Director of International Alert, Nic Hailey, emphasised the value of embedding leadership training directly into our postgraduate courses, noting that while the future landscape of human rights work will undoubtedly be tougher, the agility and talent demonstrated by the York cohort proves the sector is in capable hands.
The important lesson that I learned is that we always have to make decisions, and based on the context the decision process is going to be different, and whatever decision we make will come with trade-offs. Muiz Nazarkhudoev, MA in Applied Human Rights