Governance, Democracy and Ethics in Crisis-Decision-Making: The Pandemic and Beyond

This book is a powerful addition to a developing literature informed by arts and humanities research carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigating the impacts of crisis governance and decision-making on people and populations, the book brings together microbial organisms and humans, children and data, decision-making and infection prevention, publics and process, global vaccine distribution and citizens’ juries. Through its eight chapters, the book stimulates broadly-drawn discussions about exceptional executive powers in an emergency, the role of trust, and the importance of the principles of good governance - such as selflessness, ethics, integrity, accountability and honesty in leadership. The lessons drawn out in this book will support future decision-makers in both ordinary times and extra-ordinary emergencies.

Caroline Redhead is a non-practising solicitor and a Research Fellow in the Centre for Social Ethics and Policy at The University of Manchester.
Melanie Smallman is Associate Professor in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at University College London.