Course on Conflict & Crisis Management | Fall 2026/27

Developing Management and Personal Skills focusing on Conflict and Crisis Management

 

In today’s globalised world, professionals are increasingly required to navigate crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, and emergencies while managing conflicts within communities, systems, and organisations.

 

Additionally, the diversity of populations in crisis contexts poses unique challenges, requiring specialised knowledge in supporting well-being and inclusivity during crises.

 

This course equips students with essential knowledge and practical skills in conflict and crisis management, with a focus on supporting the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations. Topics include conflict resolution, crisis communication, leadership during emergencies, and strategies for promoting stability and resilience for all.

 

The online course will take place from 2–13 November 2026, with two evening sessions each week and Friday afternoon.

 

Limited to 5 spots for Ulysseus participants, awarded through a selection process. Sign up now! 

Registration dates 22 September 2026 15 October 2026
Course dates 02 November 2026 13 November 2026
Registration is open
Course on Conflict & Crisis Management | Fall 2026/27

Course Content

In this course, you will:

  • Learn how to respond to real-world conflicts and crises in ways that support well-being, inclusion, and resilience.
  • Explore how crises affect diverse and vulnerable groups and how to take their needs into account.
  • Examine challenges such as geopolitical tensions, cyber risks, climate-related disasters, public health threats, and social polarization.
  • Develop practical skills to analyse conflicts, design inclusive crisis responses, and communicate clearly and empathetically.

Assessment

  • Short Written Assignments (4x)
  • Written Exam

 

Learning Objectives

After completing this course students will be able to:

  • Analyse conflicts with data, mapping causes, stakeholders, and impacts on vulnerable groups.
  • Design crisis strategies across phases with ethical, inclusive leadership and clear decision rules.
  • Create and execute transparent, empathetic communication that counters misinformation and supports a society’s resilience and well-being.
  • Evaluate a global crises and the impact on conflict and resource limitations, consider resource constraints, and produce actionable outputs (strategy, communication plan, press release).

Application & Selection

This course offers 5 spots for Ulysseus participants. Applications will be reviewed based on the motivation provided, and all applicants will be informed of the selection results and next steps.

Please note that selected Ulysseus participants will be required to pay the EUR 50 ÖH and administrative fee. Further details are provided below.

MCI students are not eligible to participate in this course, as it is part of the MCI elective program for bachelor students. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to have a look at our other course offerings.

Interested in joining?

Student union and administrative fees

All students enrolled in courses at Austrian higher education institutions are required to pay a mandatory Austrian Student Union (ÖH) membership fee. In addition, MCI charges a small administrative fee to cover organisational services and course-related support. Both the Austrian Student Union (ÖH) fee and the administrative fees together make up EUR 50. After registration and successful admission to the course, students will receive an invoice from MCI covering both the Austrian Student Union (ÖH) fee and the administrative fee. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be awarded an official Microcredential Certificate.

Please note that this fee also applies to Ulysseus students participating in the Conflict and Crisis Management course, as the course is offered and administered by MCI.

Enrollment in this course is only possible once the Austrian Student Union (ÖH) fee and administrative fee have been successfully paid.

About the lecturer

Prof. Dr. Siegfried Walch

Siegfried Walch, professor & head of the department for Social, Health & Public Management and a member of the Center for Social & Health Innovation at MCI. Since 2012 he serves as a board member of the Eu-HEM consortium. Eu-EHM or “The European Master in Health Economics & Management” is a joint master degree program offered by MCI together with the Universities of Bologna, Erasmus Rotterdam and Oslo. He further represents MCI at the European University Ulysseus, launched in 2020.

More information: