Kirsten Gelsdorf: Examining Today’s Humanitarian Crises and Organizations

Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy professor Kirsten Gelsdorf spoke to UVA Lifetime Learning's podcast about the current state of worldwide humanitarian crises and organizations poised to address them.

Kirsten Gelsdorf Humanitarian AideUVA Speaks, Kirsten Gelsdorf, professor of practice of public policy at the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, talks about humanitarian crises today and shares that 1 in 29 people in the world needs assistance. Gelsdorf explains that humanitarian organizations must leverage information, advocacy, and assessment to deliver aid and services to meet that overwhelming need. As a professor at the Batten School, Gelsdorf leads her students through case studies that highlight the broad spectrum of activities and organizations meeting critical needs across the globe. Then, as a result of this scholarship, she and her students develop research and policy to inform real-time humanitarian solutions.

Related News

Explore The Latest
News and Information

  • Celebrating the UVA Batten Class of 2026
    Student Stories
    Celebrating the UVA Batten Class of 2026
    On May 16, UVA Batten celebrated the graduation of 199 students who earned Bachelor of Arts or Master of Public Policy degrees in 2026.
    Learn More
  • UVA Batten 2026 Pilot Awards
    Student Stories
    UVA Batten 2026 Pilot Awards
    The Pilot Award is named for The Virginian-Pilot, the newspaper Frank Batten, Sr. helmed in his early career.  The Batten Graduate Council annually invites students, faculty, and staff to nominate graduating Master of Public Policy students for one of five Pilot Awards. The awards recognize the recipients’ leadership, impact, and service within the greater university and policy communities. 
    Learn More
  • UVA Hydra: Where Seven Heads are Better than One
    Student Stories
    UVA Hydra: Where Seven Heads are Better than One

    UVA Batten students on the Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team, Hydra, find commonality and balance amidst their academic pursuits and competing on this nationally ranked team.

    Learn More