BIP Crisis reporting: How to cover emergencies and disasters responsibly

This course is especially aimed at Journalism and Communication students in gaining a deeper understanding of media production processes within the current information ecosystem and the editorial decisions made when reporting citizenship about crises and emergencies that directly impact social cohesion and the normal functioning of democratic societies. Within this broader objective, this course will address, with thea guidance of academics and expert professionals, the social responsibility of the media outlets in the coverage of natural disasters, migration crises, conflicts affecting defense and security, and public health emergencies, such as those that have recently occurred in Europe and the rest of the world.

Please be aware that your home university may set a different application deadline depending on their internal selection process.

Registration dates 01 July 2026 30 September 2026

Course dates 16 November 2026 21 November 2026

Registration is open

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Course Outline

This BIP is part of an increasingly closer collaboration between the universities that make up the Ulysseus alliance and it comes as a result of a shared concern about journalism and communication studies in the European context. The main objective of this course is to offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students a deeper knowledge and understanding of media production processes within the current information ecosystem and the editorial decisions made when reporting citizenship about crises and emergencies that directly impact social cohesion and the normal functioning of democratic societies.

Within this broader objective, this course will address, with the guidance of academics, expert professionals in the field, and other local participants, the social responsibility of the media outlets in the coverage of natural disasters, migration crises, conflicts affecting defense and security, and public health emergencies, such as those that have recently occurred in Europe and the rest of the world. From this approach, this programme will provide participants with tools, solutions, working methods, and ethical guidelines for reporting rigorously and accountably on such relevant and socially sensitive situations. This deontological dimension is crucial at a time when disinformation spreads easily through social media and digital platforms where a significant portion of the population, especially younger generations, spends more time accessing news. Clearly, disinformation is one of the main challenges facing the European
Union countries in the 21st century.

Course Content

The role of media in the coverage of crises and emergencies
Reporting about natural disasters, climate change and environmental issues
Reporting about public health crises
Reporting about migrant and refugee crisis, and humanitarian concerns
Reporting about security and defense at a time of geopolitical instability

Learning Outcomes

Through a combination of interactive in-person sessions with transnational and multidisciplinary teams coming from participating Ulysseus universities, students will be able to develop a solid understanding of the role and social responsibility of media outlets in the current information landscape facing the spread of disinformation and their big challenges regarding the coverage of crises and emergencies that have a decisive impact on shaping public opinion and on coexistence among citizens.

Requirements

The programme is particularly aimed at Journalism and Communication undergraduate students and Master’s and PhD researchers interested in expanding their knowledge about reporting, communication, media production, social issues and journalism ethics; all this from an interdisciplinary approach and from an international perspective under the Ulysseus umbrella. Knowledge of English B2 is required. Additional European language
skills are very welcome.

Preference for Master’s and PhD. Also final Bachelor students are also eligible for admission. Academic Staff are eligible for admission too.

Agenda

Day 1

Morning:

Welcoming words
Programme overview and introduction of the goals of the project (the collaborative creation of a handbook of crisis reporting)
Formation of working groups of students
Campus Tour/Visit to the University of Seville Headquarters (Real Fábrica de Tabacos)

Afternoon:

Conference/Round Table: Crisis reporting and ethical challenges for media
Discussion/Work with students
Welcome dinner

Day 2

Morning:

Conference/Round Table: Reporting about natural disasters, climate change and environmental issues
Discussion/Work with students

Afternoon:

Visit to Doñana Natural Park (The Acebuche Visitor Centre)

Day 3

Morning:

Conference/Round Table: Reporting about public health crises. The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discussion/Work with students

Afternoon:

Visit to the 112 Andalusia Emergency Coordination Centre
Briefing along with 112 Communication Department

Day 4

Morning:

Conference/Round Table: Reporting about migrant and refugee crisis, and humanitarian concerns
Discussion/Work with students

Afternoon:

Visit to NGO Sevilla Acoge, that provides assistance to immigrants since 1991
Visit to Fundación SAMU reception centre of migrant unaccompanied minors

Day 5

Morning:

Conference/Round Table: Reporting about security and defense at a time of geopolitical instability
Discussion/Work with students

Afternoon:

Visit to UME (Military Emergency Unit) Headquarters in Morón de la Frontera

Day 6

Morning:

Closing summary presentation of the course by student groups, plenary discussion (teachers-students) and preparation of the Final Conclusions Document aiming at the creation of a handbook of crisis reporting

Afternoon:

City Tour (possibility of visiting the Alcazar, the Cathedral, Museo de Bellas Artes, Archivo de Indias, etc)

Virtual Component

The virtual phase of this course consists of two online sessions (one hour each).

The first one (10/11/2026) will be a preparatory meeting between the organization, the invited teachers, and the students. In this session the main issues and discussions addressed in the course will be presented. Likewise, in this phase, students could be introduced to the fundamentals of crisis reporting in the current information ecosystem. In this case, student will individually do a pre-exercise that will consist of analysing the given information and showing their knowledge through an online task or quiz.

The second session (29/11/2026) will address the conclusions and the preparation of a final memorandum including a handbook of crisis reporting as the main collaborative result of the course.

Facilitators and professors

The instructors participating in this course have extensive and recognized research and
teaching experience in the various fields of knowledge covered, such as:

– Laura Kettunen (Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences)
– Kaijaleena Runsten (Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences)
– José Luis Rojas Torrijos (Universidad de Sevilla)
– Ángeles Fernández Barrero (Universidad de Sevilla)
– Guido Levi (University of Genoa)
– Lucca Raffini (University of Genoa)
– Simone Frega (University of Genoa)
– Claudio Marciano (University of Genoa)
– Alberto Giordano (University of Genoa)
– Enrique Klaus (Université Côte d’Azur)
– Natasha Ruzich (University of Montenegro)