Churchill to Guinness: A Study of Risk Management in London and Dublin

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Dr. Julie Boyd is an assistant professor in the Occupational Safety and Health Department at Murray State University. She earned both her BS and MS degrees at Murray State University. Upon graduation with her MS degree, Dr. Boyd began working in the manufacturing sector, where she remained for over a decade before teaching at the university level. She has EHS experience in automotive and food manufacturing, where she earned her Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Dr. Boyd has been a full-time Occupational Safety and Health Department faculty member since January 2016. She recently earned her doctorate (Occupational Safety and Health Ph.D.) from Capitol Technology and is now a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). Dr. Boyd is the faculty advisor for the Murray State American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) student section and the president-elect of the Purchase Area Chapter of ASSP.

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Faculty:
Dr. Julie Boyd (More Info)

Course:
Churchill to Guinness: A Study of Risk Management in London and Dublin

Program Dates:
Dec 26, 2024 – Jan 8, 2025

Honors Credit:
None

WKU Course:
ENV 475; PH 530

Discipline(s):
Sociology , Economics

Course Description:

Develop a command of the risk management process through London and Dublin's extraordinary offerings, including risk identification, assessment, analysis, and control. The city is your classroom, including Parliament, the Churchill War Rooms, and the Imperial War and Transport museums in London. In Dublin, your classroom includes Jameson Distillery, Kilmainham Gaol, Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College, Croke Park Stadium, and the Guinness Storehouse. These sites provide an excellent lens for viewing how risk has been faced, understood, and acted upon, each providing vivid and accurate insights into risk management practices, both past and present. Comparisons of United States, British, and Irish practices are emphasized throughout.


Prerequisites:
None. Open to students of all majors.

Physical Activity Requirements:
Daily activities include significant walking on both paved and uneven surfaces (three to five miles per day, including long walking tours), using public transportation, climbing stairs and hills, and exposure to winter weather.

Course Highlights:
  • Journey through London and Dublin, exploring iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Guinness Storehouse to uncover the intricacies of risk assessment across history and today.
  • Gain firsthand insights into the effectiveness and importance of risk management practices
  • Engage in dynamic discussions on passenger safety and security, examining the unique challenges and strategies of London's bustling underground transportation system.
  • Step into history as you visit Churchill's War Rooms, unraveling the legendary leader's response to the risks of World War II, and exploring pivotal moments like the Titanic disaster and the Black Plague, each offering profound lessons in risk management and resilience.
  • Ring in the New Year with fireworks above Buckingham Palace.