Culture and crisis communication took centre stage at the North-West University (NWU) when the institution was honoured to host internationally acclaimed scholar Prof Krishnamurthy Sriramesh from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

With a global academic footprint and numerous accolades to his name – including the prestigious Pathfinder Award and PRIDE Awards – Prof Sriramesh delivered a powerful public lecture titled “The link between culture and crisis communication: Global case studies”.

The event offered a unique opportunity for students and staff to engage with the socio-cultural complexities that shape how different societies respond to crises.

Prof Lynette Fourie, research director for social transformation in the School of Communication, delivered the opening remarks. She admired Prof Sriramesh’s passion for communication and ability to connect with people.

“You can see his love for communication and his deep desire to empower others through knowledge sharing,” she said. Prof Fourie also announced that Prof Sriramesh would soon join the school as an extraordinary professor – a move she believes will significantly support the development of younger colleagues by opening up access to his international network.

During his lecture, Prof Sriramesh emphasised the need for a more holistic and global approach to crisis communication. “Political, economic, societal, activist and media cultures are major influences on how crises unfold and are managed,” he explained. “Yet, they are often overlooked or only subtly addressed.” He urged educators to demonstrate to students how these cultural forces shape the development and handling of crises.

He further stressed that effective communication is not simply about disseminating information. “Listening is more important,” he said. “Only by listening can we align our messages with the people we are trying to reach – and that is something I hope most organisations will strive towards.”

Prof Sriramesh commended the School of Communication for its strong infrastructure and collaborative spirit. “The faculty and staff operate as such a cohesive unit,” he noted. “It was a revelation to see you function this well together. The cohesion within the Faculty of Humanities truly impressed me.”

Watch as Prof Sriramesh shares his insights on his lecture and reflects on his overall experience at the North-West University.