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Dr Chris Cocking, used evidence from his research into the psychology of crowd behaviour to take a different approach to the ways we look at crowd behaviour when major incidents occur.

Attendees at the fully booked seminar heard how studies of mass emergencies have consistently found that irrationalist assumptions of crowd responses (e.g. mass panic, stampedes etc.) are rarely supported by detailed evidence of what actually happens and holding such views could even hinder effective emergency planning and response.

The morning started with an introduction to the myths around crowd behaviour and public responses to mass emergencies, followed by an interactive table-top exercise and lively discussions. 

Dr Cocking concluded that people in emergencies tend to behave in more positive way than is usually expected, and emergency planning and response should be guided by a public safety approach to safe crowd management (instead of viewing crowds as a potential public order problem in need of crowd control techniques).

This seminar was designed to inform emergency planning and response procedures, and was targeted at practitioners with an interest in exploring a facilitative management approach to public safety. Representatives from the London Ambulance Service and other NHS departments, Fire and Rescue Services, Aviation, Local Authority, Railway providers and others attended the fully booked seminar.

Feedback has been very positive, with comments including:

“This has been a very refreshing view around crowd dynamics. It has been a view that I have been working to get across to key people (flight and cabin crew) for many years.”

 “Excellent. Opened my eyes to things I hadn’t considered.”

“Very well organised and informative. Dr Chris has shared very useful research work. Thanks.” 

• 89% of attendees said that what they had heard this morning had changed their view on managing crowd behaviour.
• 95% of attendees said that they will change their procedures or behaviour when dealing with a situation of mass emergency as a result of this seminar.
• 100% of attendees said that they found the seminar was useful to their role.

The university would like to thank Gatwick Diamond Business for their ongoing support with this second series of Research Insights seminars, and also Gatwick Airport for their generous hospitality for this event.

Building on the success and positive feedback from this seminar Susannah Davidson is working with Dr Chris Cocking on the design of bespoke workshops for in-house emergency planning, which will be delivered by Chris Cocking.

If you are interested in commissioning a workshop, or would like an informal conversation with Susannah Davidson, you can contact her at S.L.Davidson@brighton.ac.uk.