Paper details
| Paper authors | Dr Lisa Guppy |
| In panel on | Teaching Global Humanitarian Assistance in Turbulent Times: Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
Now in its fourth year, the BSc in Global Humanitarian Studies at University College London is one of the relatively few undergraduate humanitarian programmes offered in English. Its development offers valuable insights into the pedagogical and institutional challenges of teaching future humanitarian leaders in a rapidly evolving global context.
This paper reflects on two key themes. First, it explores the opportunities and tensions of a multidisciplinary curriculum that draws on staff and topics from areas as diverse as anthropology, law and technology. While this breadth reflects the sector’s diversity, it also raises questions about coherence, depth, and the balance between critical inquiry and professional preparation.
Second, it examines how educators support student resilience in the face of emotionally charged content. Engaging with themes of crisis, violence, and loss can be deeply affecting, particularly for younger students. This paper reflects on strategies used by staff to foster emotional literacy, create safe learning environments, and prepare students for the demands of humanitarian work.
In a sector increasingly concerned with professionalisation, this presentation argues that undergraduate humanitarian education must not only equip students with interdisciplinary knowledge but also address the emotional and ethical dimensions of the field. These lessons are essential for cultivating reflective, resilient, and responsible future practitioners. The paper concludes with reflections on how such programmes might contribute to a broader community of practice committed to critical humanitarian education in safer learning environments.
