Global Health Challenges Amid Autocracy, Disinformation, and Changing Geopolitics

McGill University’s Pandemic and Emergency Readiness Lab (PERL) is set to formally launch on February 3, 2026, bringing together experts and stakeholders to address critical gaps in global health crisis response. The day-long event will take place at the McGill Faculty Club Ballroom in Montreal, featuring prominent speakers and panel discussions on pandemic preparedness.

PERL represents a significant development in the health crisis management landscape, establishing itself as an interdisciplinary research and leadership hub focused on actionable solutions. The lab’s mission centers on strengthening global and local readiness through research advancement, crisis leadership development, and building collaborative networks across sectors.

“We’re bringing together science, leadership, and convening power to help societies, governments, and organizations better prepare for and respond to health emergencies,” explained Dr. Joanne Liu, who will moderate several sessions during the launch event. Liu, a former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), brings substantial field experience to PERL’s leadership team.

The lab is structured around three core pillars: Science & Evidence, Leadership & Learning, and Convening & Collaboration. The first pillar encompasses research across five critical streams, including pandemic prevention, governance infrastructure, data innovation, community resilience, and crisis leadership. The Leadership & Learning pillar will introduce a Pandemic Fellows Program aimed at equipping emerging crisis leaders with necessary skills and knowledge.

The launch event’s agenda reflects these priorities, with sessions addressing pressing challenges in crisis preparedness against a backdrop of global autocracy, disinformation, and shifting geopolitical risks. The day will begin with a keynote address by Michael Osterholm, author of “The Big One: How to prepare for world altering pandemics to come,” followed by a fireside chat moderated by Dr. Liu.

Three expert panels will form the backbone of the day’s discussions. The first, “Responding to human crises in a fractured world,” will feature Paul Wise from Stanford, Conrad Sauvé of the Canadian Red Cross, and Kelley Lee from Simon Fraser University. This session aims to explore coordination challenges in emergency response across international borders and institutional boundaries.

Following lunch, the second panel will delve into the “Politics of preparedness” with speakers including Fatima Hassan from the Health Justice Initiative, Roojin Habibi from the University of Ottawa, and Nina Schwalbe of Spark Street Advisors. Jennifer Welsh from McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy will moderate this discussion on navigating political obstacles to effective crisis planning.

The final panel will address perhaps the most contemporary challenge: “Confronting the rising dangers of mis and disinformation.” This session brings together journalist André Picard from the Globe and Mail, author Nora Loreto, behavioral scientist Kim Lavoie from UQAM, and Jessica Malaty Rivera from Johns Hopkins University, with moderation by PERL’s Prativa Baral.

PERL’s launch comes at a critical juncture, as global health systems continue to integrate lessons from recent health emergencies while preparing for future threats. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in preparedness, coordination, and communication—areas PERL aims to address through its interdisciplinary approach.

The event will conclude with closing reflections from key participants on collaborative paths forward, followed by networking opportunities. In a unique addition, students will have exclusive access to a fireside chat and webinar with panelists, highlighting PERL’s commitment to developing the next generation of crisis leaders.

Registration details for the launch event are expected to be announced in the coming weeks through McGill University channels. The initiative represents a significant investment in building resilience against future health emergencies through collaboration between academic institutions, government agencies, and international organizations.