Handbook of Pandemic Management: the case of COVID-19

An open access handbook that captures diverse aspects of pandemic management to guide governments and policy makers.

Emily Marr, Chief Editor

The Handbook of Pandemic Management tackles the overload of correct, incorrect and tenuous information surrounding the pandemic. This project aims to bring together current knowledge on the COVID-19 pandemic in order to clarify the appropriate technologies and strategies that can help combat the damaging effects of the virus. Faced with unprecedented or unexpected situations, policymakers and infrastructure can be overwhelmed with the vast number of measures that need to be taken. It requires time to devise and implement strategies. This handbook aims to streamline the process for future generations in the scenario of another similar pandemic.

The project is primarily aimed at policymakers and organisations. However, given the humanitarian nature of the project, we want to make this open access and any individual who wishes will be able to read it. We will make an e-book freely available to download from a bespoke website. We would also like to be able to distribute paperback copies. Ultimately, this legacy project will allow future generations to build on the knowledge and experience that we have gained during the current pandemic. As global understanding grows, we expect to produce a second edition with more up-to-date advice as well as an expansion into topics which we did not cover in the first edition.

This is an open access handbook, available to download as an e-book by anyone for free. It will be available as a hard copy at a cost to the purchaser or for free depending on available funds to cover the cost of printing. It is unbiased, and is written and reviewed to a high standard by academics and students at the University of Cambridge and National University of Singapore.

Ultimately, this legacy project will allow future generations to build on the knowledge and experience that we have gained during the current pandemic. As global understanding grows, we expect to produce a second edition with more up-to-date advice as well as an expansion into topics which we did not cover in the first edition.

This is a project that will be useful for policymakers in the current situation. However, the greatest impact will be for future generations which may use this handbook to better prepare for subsequent pandemics. The handbook will reach policymakers and organisations with large roles in managing pandemics and therefore benefit millions of people.

In order to reach as many people as possible, we will be endorsed by high-profile academics at the University of Cambridge and the National University of Singapore, as well as Singaporean diplomats. We will reach out directly to organisations such as the WHO.

The scale of our impact will be measured by the rate of traffic that visits our website to download the book, the number of countries from which individuals reach the website, the reception and uptake of the book by members of governments and organisations.

Impact will also be measured by the interest received from contributors who would like to be involved in writing and reviewing subsequent editions.

Barriers include the time constraints of individuals. The research, writing, reviewing and editorial process is very time-consuming and contributors have busy schedules which can make it difficult to accommodate progress on the handbook. This simply means that work is slower as a consequence.

We also have the risk of contributors dropping out but thanks to the large number of editors and reviewers involved, we can still ensure that each chapter is properly reviewed.

Funding is required to print and advertise our book.