Volume 19 Issue 4

In a very real sense, I have grown up both personally and professionally with the Crisis Response Journal. When I first began writing for it over 12 years ago, this publication opened up a whole new perspective on both reporting and research for me. With each edition that we produce, I continue to learn, and I continue to grow. 

Reviewing the past two decades of the Journal has been equal parts nostalgic, sobering, and exciting. There are so many themes and topics that we have covered as a publication that continue to not just be relevant today – some of the pages feel prophetic. And some feel like déjà vu. On page 20, I interview Emily about the last two decades of the journal. Christine Jessup has put together a beautiful reflection of the magazine over the years on page 24. Elsewhere in the pages, Jeremy Collymore and Elton Cunha both reflect on their respective region’s evolution (or lack thereof). 

This issue has one foot in the past and another in the present – and future. We review cognitive warfare, which is a threat no one can ignore any longer. In today's polarised world, people in the emergency response and continuity realm know what cracks have emerged even as we grappled with those that already persisted. I found it appropriate to dedicate the last few pages of this edition to examining mental health and trauma for practitioners. In a world increasingly riddled with permacrisis, the importance of self-care cannot be understated. 

This edition also welcomes Amanda Coleman to the Advisory Panel. Those who already know her need no introduction to her wisdom, and those who don’t definitely need to follow her work.

This community, its readers, authors, and supporters, are a class of their own, and we thank them all – there are so many people who have gone above and beyond over the last 20 years, and we would be nothing without you all. I hope I can continue on the brilliant path Emily and her team laid out and keep moving forward. We have come a long way, and yet there is so much more left to do.