Masterclass Crisis Governance

Alden Biesen Commandery
16–18 December 2026 | 27–29 April 2027

An initiative by PM • Risk Crisis Change
In collaboration with the Chair of Crisis Governance

Exclusively for members of the Interreg project “Solidarity Sparks”.

How to navigate uncertainty?

How can you ensure that your organisation is not only able to respond to a crisis, but is also prepared for uncertainty, complexity and unexpected developments? The Crisis Governance Masterclass brings together academic insights and practical experience in an intensive and practice-oriented learning programme. Participants develop a shared framework for crisis management and crisis governance and learn how to apply it in realistic crisis situations.

We explore how leaders can deal with uncertainty by combining improvisation with advanced technologies and scientific insights, thereby enabling them to make informed decisions. As Mark Parker, Executive Chairman of Nike, once said: “All management is crisis management.”

Through practical exercises and real-life case studies, participants build a strong theoretical foundation in crisis communication and crisis management. This brings together insights from various disciplines, including communication studies, sociology, behavioural psychology, leadership and information sciences. Participants then apply these insights in practical exercises.

The masterclass forms part of the Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE) project Solidarity Sparks and brings together professionals, academics and practitioners from various organisations and sectors. Guest speakers from different sectors and with diverse backgrounds also share their own experiences of anticipating, managing and learning from critical situations.

Register

Outline of the sessions - December 2026

Day 1 – Wednesday 16 December​

Crisis as a Concept

Prof. dr. Hugo Marynissen
(University of Antwerp)

Day 2 – Thursday 17 December

Crisis Communications

Stijn Pieters
(PM • Risk Crisis Change)

Business Continuity Strategy

Niels Vanlaer
(Port of Antwerp-Bruges)

Day 3 – Friday 18 December​

Facing Disruption: When Reality No longer Follows the Plan

Juan Manuel Domínguez-Ortega
(Universidad Pública de Navarra)

When the Black Swan Looms: Operationalising Resilience in Complex Systems

Alexander Nieuwborg
(PM • Risk Crisis Change)

Outline of the sessions - April 2027

Day 4 – Tuesday 27 April

Crisis Governance (part 1)

Prof. dr. Hugo Marynissen
(University of Antwerp)

Day 5 – Wednesday 28 April

Crisis Governance (part 2)

Dr. Fabian Steinmann
(Cranfield University)

Including Volunteers in Crisis Response

VRMWB

Day 6 – Thursday 29 April

Organisation Networks for Dealing with Crisis

Prof. dr. Bart Cambré
(University of Antwerp)

Concluding Session

Stijn Pieters
(PM • Risk Crisis Change)

Prof. dr. Hugo Marynissen
(University of Antwerp)

Learning objectives

At the end of the course, the following competencies should be achieved:

  • The participant can identify crisis situations and respond appropriately by anticipating developments, managing challenges, and communicating effectively.
  • The participant understands how organizations can build resilience and is able to connect the content of the sessions to the broader field of crisis management and governance.
  • The participant can apply theoretical frameworks to manage complex crises by recognizing their various dimensions.
  • They use logical reasoning and analytical thinking to make sound decisions and ensure practical outcomes.
  • The participant can differentiate between situational cues and respond in ways that promote organizational stability.
  • The participant communicates effectively and professionally within organizational contexts and with external stakeholders during complex crises.

Lecturers

Prof. dr. Hugo Marynissen

Prof. dr. Hugo Marynissen

University of Antwerp

Prof. Dr. Hugo Marynissen is a professor of crisis governance and co-holder of the ‘Chair of Crisis Governance’ at the University of Antwerp and Antwerp Management School. He’s avisiting professor at IE Business School (Spain) and the University of Ghent. The focus of his research is on dynamics in crisis teams, crisis network leadership, and the role of resilience and crisis governance in anticipating extreme events.

Stijn Pieters

Stijn Pieters

PM • Risk Crisis Change

Stijn Pieters is the CEO of PM • Risk Crisis Change, a Belgium-based consultancy firm advising organizations on crisis preparedness and resilience. He sets out to change people's minds, attitudes, and spirits about how to handle risks, crises, and change. Stijn is the president of the CIP Institute, a non-profit organization that brings together scientists and practitioners from various disciplines in an inspiring and innovative platform to exchange and develop knowledge about the Complex and Interactive Processes in the field of crisis.

Niels Vanlaer

Niels Vanlaer

Port of Antwerp-Bruges

Niels Vanlaer is Harbor Captain and Business Continuity Manager of operations for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Previously, he worked as an HSEQ and marine director for a shipping company specializing in gas tankers and had a seagoing career up to the rank of Master Mariner. Niels currently combines his job with PhD-level research at the University of Antwerp, Faculty of Business and Economics. His research focuses on risk management and organizational resilience in critical infrastructures.

Juan Manuel Domínguez-Ortega

Juan Manuel Domínguez-Ortega

Universidad Pública de Navarra

Juan Manuel Domínguez-Ortega is a senior strategy and project management advisor to startups and SME’s. He’s lecturing executive programs at IE Business School (Madrid, Spain), and he’s a doctoral researcher at the Universidad Pública de Navarra (Spain).

Alexander Nieuwborg

Alexander Nieuwborg

PM • Risk Crisis Change

Alexander is a senior consultant at PM and a research fellow at the Chair of Crisis Governance. Alexander obtained a Master’s degree in Product Development from the University of Antwerp, specialising in Strategic Design, and a Master’s degree in Space Studies from KU Leuven. He then conducted research as a PhD researcher at Delft University of Technology into how organisations can operationalise resilience in the face of unexpected and large-scale crises. Subsequently, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Delft University of Technology, Leiden University and the Netherlands Defence Academy, where he focused on whole-of-society resilience and hybrid threats.

Dr. Fabian Steinmann

Dr. Fabian Steinmann

Cranfield University

Dr. Fabian Steinmann is a Lecturer in Organizational Resilience and Change at Cranfield University. His research focuses on strengthening organizational resilience, adaptive capacity and crisis preparedness. He works closely with industry, supporting organizations through strategic reviews, incident analysis and tailored, scenario-based training for senior leaders. Fabian holds a PhD in Aviation Resilience and a BSc in Aerospace Engineering.

Prof. dr. Bart Cambré

Prof. dr. Bart Cambré

University of Antwerp

Prof. dr. Bart Cambré is Associate Dean of Research and Valorization at Antwerp Management School and professor at Antwerp Management School and the University of Antwerp. His current research involves organizational networks and research methods with a focus on the configurational approach and evaluation studies. He published in national and international journals on these topics.

Register now!​

The participation fee is €1,750 (€350 per day) +21% VAT.

Included in the participation fee:

  • Participation in the Masterclass.
  • A participant pack containing, amongst other things, the list of participants, handouts, supplementary reading materials and more.
  • A certificate of attendance.
  • Lunches and coffee breaks.
  • Dinner on 16 December 2026 and 27 April 2027.

Reserve your seat by completing the form.

*By registering, you confirm that your order number is correct and valid. Please note that an invoice bearing this number will be sent immediately upon registration. In addition, you agree to our 30-day payment terms.

Do you have any questions about the masterclass or your registration? Please contact Kaylyn Thielens (PM • Risk Crisis Change) on +32 475 84 13 05.

    https://www.alden-biesen.be/

    About the hosts​

    PM • Risk Crisis Change makes individuals, teams and organisations stronger and more resilient in dealing with crisis situations. PM offers consultancy, training, immediate support and research throughout all phases of a crisis: before, during and after.

    With the support of the Chair of Crisis Governance at the Faculty of Business & Economics, University of Antwerp.

    Solidarity Sparks is a project funded by the Interreg programme, an EU initiative that promotes cross-border cooperation to address common challenges and foster the development of joint solutions.

    Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE) connects innovators, researchers, governments, businesses and communities across the region, from Hasselt and Maastricht to Aachen, Eupen and Liège. By facilitating partnerships and guiding projects, it helps turn ideas into lasting economic, social and structural progress.

    Contact Details

    Prof. dr. Hugo Marynissen
    (University of Antwerp)

    hugo.marynissen@uantwerpen.be
    +32 473 89 42 60

    Kaylyn Thielens
    (PM • Risk Crisis Change)

    kaylyn@pm.be
    +32 475 84 13 05