NEWS & EVENTS

The Launch of the Asian Hub of the Crisis Communication Think Tank The Launch of the Asian Hub of the Crisis Communication Think Tank

The Department of Communication Studies, in collaboration with the @Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT) at the University of Georgia and the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, officially inaugurated the Asia Hub of the Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT) on May 9, 2025.

The launch ceremony marked a milestone in international collaboration, positioning COMS as a regional leader in crisis communication scholarship and practice. The inauguration, attended by the Dean of the School of Communication, @Professor Zhong Bu, and Associate Professor @Cindy Ngai from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was held during the "Facing AI and Cyberattacks: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities for Crisis Resilience" symposium. The event gathered international and local scholars, industry leaders, and communication practitioners to discuss timely and critical challenges surrounding AI-driven and cybersecurity crises.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Professor @Regina Chen, Head of the Department of Communication Studies, emphasised the strategic importance of the newly launched Asia Hub. "Establishing this hub is a strategic step forward as we believe in the transformative power of international collaboration," she said.

The symposium featured two expert panels exploring critical issues in crisis resilience.

The first panel, "Adapting to Uncertain Times: AI in Issues and Crisis Management," included insights from Professor Regina Chen, @David Ko (General Managing Director, Ruder Finn Interactive), @Kate LaVail (Segment General Manager, LexisNexis and CCTT member), and @Professor Yan Jin (Director of CCTT). The panellists discussed how organisations can proactively respond to the uncertainties brought by AI, including misinformation and rapid technological changes.

The second panel, "Readiness for Cyberattacks: Building Resilience through Data, Technology, Management, and Communication," featured @Alan Lee (Partner, Cybersecurity Consulting, Ernst & Young), @Jason Epstein (JD and CCTT member), and @Professor Timothy Coombs (Centre for Crisis & Risk Communications and CCTT member), who shared their expertise on best practices to mitigate cyber threats and strengthen organisational resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

The newly established CCTT Asia Hub will actively contribute to global dialogues on crisis communication, facilitating ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange between Asia, Europe, and North America.