The Sheleg Chair for Crisis Research

The Sheleg Chair for Crisis Research

"We do not believe in miracles, but we believe in the great possibilities inherent in the creative power of man"

 

David Ben-Gurion

Founded in 2025, the Sheleg Chair for Crisis Research serves as a vital bridge between academic scholarship and practical application in the study and management of crises. By integrating rigorous research, innovative multidisciplinary perspectives, and substantive dialogue with policymakers and leading stakeholders across government institutions, public organizations, the private sector, and civil society, the Chair advances knowledge while fostering meaningful, actionable collaboration.
Housed within the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at Reichman University, the Chair is led by Adv. Lt. Col. (res.) Lior Lotan.

About

 

The Sheleg Chair for Crisis Research at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy stands as a distinguished academic hub dedicated to advancing the systematic study and practical management of crises. It seeks to integrate rigorous scholarship, innovative conceptual frameworks, and informed public dialogue, thereby deepening understanding of crises and strengthening the capacity to govern them effectively.

 


A crisis constitutes a critical inflection point in the evolution of conflict—one at which rival interests intensify and compel stakeholders to undertake consequential, multifaceted, and often complex courses of action in pursuit of resolution. Contemporary crises are marked by enduring uncertainty, intensifying public pressures on decision-makers, severe constraints of time and resources, and the sudden emergence of unforeseen or rapidly escalating developments.

 


Addressing these challenges has become a defining imperative for governments, public institutions, civil society organizations, businesses, and communities alike. Such conditions highlight the urgent need for multidisciplinary academic inquiry capable of mapping the dynamics of crises, devising effective strategies and practices for their management, and cultivating advanced training for policymakers, leaders, and practitioners across political, security, economic, and societal domains.

 


The Sheleg Chair for Crisis Research was founded to meet these urgent needs—bridging theory and practice, advancing scholarly knowledge, and shaping applied approaches to crisis management in an era defined by complexity, volatility, and accelerated change.

 

 

Vision

 

The Sheleg Chair aspires to stand at the forefront of academic excellence in Israel and internationally in the study of contemporary crises. It seeks to serve as a distinguished center for cutting-edge research, advanced education, and meaningful practical engagement across the domains of public, security, political, social, and business crisis management.

Objectives of the Chair

To advance innovative and impactful academic knowledge in the field of crisis management

To develop cutting-edge approaches and models for the effective governance and resolution of crises

To generate meaningful impact on policymakers, practitioners, and the broader public engaged in crisis management

To educate and train students, researchers, professionals, and decision-makers in both the theory and practice of crisis management

To foster rigorous and sustained international dialogue on crisis management across professional, academic, and policy domains

Scope of Activity

 

The Chair is dedicated to the study of both local and global crises, with a particular emphasis on rigorous analysis and the cultivation of systemic insights. Its endeavors are inherently interdisciplinary, drawing upon and integrating knowledge from political science, psychology, law, communication, economics, national security, and leadership.

  • Political Crises


    Conflicts between states or regimes stemming from political disputes, border disagreements, economic or geopolitical interests, or shifts in the balance of power within the international arena.

  • Military Crises


    Heightened confrontations between states or military entities involving an imminent threat of force, and in some cases may escalate into armed conflict or war.

  • Security Crises


    Sudden or evolving events that threaten lives, property, vital interests, or sovereignty, requiring a rapid, coordinated response from security and governmental authorities to avert damage and restore stability.

  • Business Crises


    Sudden or prolonged disruptions that endanger a company’s operations, profitability, or reputation, requiring swift decision-making to manage risks and mitigate damage.

  • Public and Health Crises


    Large-scale events that erode public trust in institutions and necessitate prompt, effective measures to restore confidence while reducing harm and social disruption.

  • Cyber Crises


    Extraordinary digital incidents endangering information systems, data, critical infrastructure, operations, business interests, and reputation—demanding immediate action to protect, contain, and recover.

Research Center

 

The Research Center serves as the Chair’s primary professional framework for coordinating and advancing its research endeavors. It encompasses diverse activities, including in-depth interviews with senior officials and key stakeholders, systematic analyses of academic and professional literature, the design and implementation of public opinion surveys, and the production of reports, publications, and policy-relevant materials. Through these efforts, the Center consolidates knowledge and generates insights that inform both scholarship and practice.

 

 

 

 

Crisis Laboratory

 


The Crisis Laboratory serves as an interdisciplinary platform dedicated to examining the human dimension of crises. Drawing on multiple fields of inquiry, It aims to develop practical insights and effective tools that empower decision-makers to confront contemporary challenges while anticipating and preparing for those yet to emerge. By bridging theory and practice, the Laboratory  directly contributes to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity in times of uncertainty.

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The Sheleg Chair for Crisis Research