As part of the ARTEM “Cindynics: Risk and Danger Sciences” workshop led by Rasool Mehdizadeh, researcher and lecturer at Mines Nancy and the GeoRessources laboratory, a new edition of the iCrisis immersive exercise was recently organized.
Co-developed by the University of Lorraine and StratAdviser Ltd, this large-scale crisis simulation was organized in collaboration with Clément Judek, R&D Director at Crisalyde and researcher, and Dr. Jan-Cedric Hansen, hospital practitioner and board member of StratAdviser Ltd, as well as several international disaster medicine societies.
The event brought together students, future managers, and emergency professionals for a realistic, full-scale crisis management experience.
A Unique Immersion at the Intersection of Engineering and Management
For over 10 years, this educational exercise has placed around fifty participants in real-life strategic decision-making situations, facing complex and evolving crises.
Students from the three ARTEM Alliance schools — Mines Nancy, ICN Business School, and ENSAD Nancy — worked alongside students from the University of Strasbourg, highlighting the diversity of profiles involved: engineers, managers, and designers.
Supervised by professionals from organizations such as emergency services (SDIS, SAMU) and the University of Lorraine, participants operated in a highly realistic environment simulating interactions between public authorities, private stakeholders, and media actors.
A Realistic Simulation of a Modern Polycrisis
This year’s iCrisis scenario immersed participants in a polycrisis, where multiple events unfold simultaneously and escalate.
The teams were confronted with:
- A protest disrupting an academic event
- Malicious intrusions on-site
- A cyberattack affecting digital services
In this dynamic and uncertain context, crisis units had to manage security, organizational, and communication challenges, while adapting to constant pressure and evolving conditions.
Decision-Making, Collaboration, and Action in Systemic Crises
Divided into three strategic crisis units, participants represented different types of organizations and were required to deliver concrete, actionable decisions in real time.
The exercise highlights key competencies essential for both engineers and managers:
- Analyzing complex and uncertain situations
- Anticipating cascading (domino) effects
- Coordinating across diverse stakeholders with different cultures and objectives
- Making informed decisions under time pressure
- Communicating effectively in sensitive situations
Each decision had to be translated into operational actions, reinforcing the realism and intensity of the simulation. Meanwhile, the facilitation team continuously adapted the scenario based on participants’ decisions—or lack thereof.
Interdisciplinary Learning for Real-World Challenges
By combining engineering, management, and creative disciplines, the Cindynics workshop fully embodies the innovative pedagogical approach of the ARTEM Alliance.
It prepares students to operate in professional environments where crisis management requires:
- Technical expertise
- Strategic leadership skills
- A deep understanding of human and media dynamics
Preparing for a World of Interconnected Crises
Through the iCrisis exercise, Mines Nancy actively contributes to training professionals capable of navigating a world shaped by interconnected and systemic crises.
Future engineers, managers, and decision-makers are all impacted by these challenges. This highly realistic simulation enables them to develop essential reflexes to respond effectively to critical situations in increasingly complex and risk-exposed organizations.
