Examining how governments manage crisis, risk, and uncertainty 

The Crisis Governance Observatory UK (CGO UK) is an independent research unit examining how governments govern crisises and risk. It was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed persistent weaknesses in crisis governance, decision-making under pressure, and institutional learning.

CGO UK seeks to support clearer understanding of these failures, with the aim of informing better preparedness for future crises, including future pandemics.

CGO UK publishes short, analytical research papers using major crises as case studies to examine recurring patterns in crisis governance, centralisation, territorial accountability, and institutional learning. The Observatory does not engage in advocacy or campaigning, and provides a space for reflective, evidence-informed analysis rather than real-time policy commentary.

Core Research Themes

Our research focus sits within the following core research areas:

Evidence-Based Policy Making | Centralisation & Decentralisation | Territorial Politics | Crisis Communications | Institutional Learning and Reform