Evaluating Leadership Training in Emergencies: A WHOCC-WHO EMRO Collaboration
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training at Imperial College London is proud to partner with the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme in the Eastern Mediterranean Region Office (WHO EMRO) to evaluate the Leadership in Emergencies training programme – a key initiative aimed at strengthening global emergency preparedness. We would like to thank Dr Samar Al-Mutawakel from the WHO EMRO for initiating this partnership and helping with securing the ethical approval to conduct this evaluation.
This collaboration represents a strategic effort to assess the effectiveness and impact of WHO’s multi-phased leadership development training programme, which supports health emergency leaders and responders across all six WHO regions. By applying robust academic and evaluation methodologies, our Centre is supporting WHO’s mission to ensure that emergency leadership training is evidence-based, impactful, and aligned with the evolving demands of the global health landscape.
About the Programme
The WHO Leadership in Emergencies (LIE) training programme is a multi-phased initiative that seeks to build leadership, operational, and non-technical skills – including emotional intelligence, decision-making, and crisis communication – among health professionals who manage and respond to public health emergencies. The programme combines blended learning formats and regionally adapted content to enhance its global relevance.
Our Role
As a designated WHO Collaborating Centre, Imperial College London brings extensive expertise in public health education, health systems strengthening, and leadership training. Celine Tabche led the research team at the WHOCC to conduct interviews and surveys with the 500+ participants in the WHO LIE training programme over the last three years. Our role in this project is to:
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Evaluate the programme’s outcomes across the participating WHO regions
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Identify strengths and areas for enhancement from the participants’ perspective
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Support continuous quality improvement in leadership training delivery
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Contribute to building a resilient, skilled, and fit-for-purpose health emergency workforce
Why This Matters
In a world increasingly shaped by complex emergencies – from pandemics and natural disasters to humanitarian crises – building strong and agile leadership within health systems is essential. Our joint work supports WHO’s goal to ensure that leaders and responders are not only well-trained but also part of a connected global community that can act quickly and effectively in times of crisis.
We are honoured to contribute to this important work and remain committed to advancing excellence in public health leadership and emergency response.
We aim to publish our findings soon!