In assessment task one, you will explore the literature on a topic (see scenario below) related to leadership and emergency and disaster management. In particular, you will identify and consolidate literature sources (part 1) and analyse these sources (part 2) to further your understanding of leadership in the emergency and disaster management context. You must use the scenario below to undertake Part 1) and Part 2).

Part 1: Searching the Literature

Scenario:

You have recently joined the Australian Red Cross as a volunteer and have been entrusted with a leadership role for your team involved in emergency and disaster management roles. With this new responsibility, you recognise the need to deepen your understanding of effective leadership strategies in this field.

To lead effectively in complex and high-pressure disaster situations, you decide to review the latest research on leadership strategies and approaches within emergency and disaster management. Your goal is to gain insights that will enhance your leadership skills.

Your task is to conduct a seven-step literature search to find peer-reviewed articles published in the last five (5) years on contemporary leadership strategies in emergency and disaster management.

Activity Instructions:

Based on the above scenario, you need to conduct and document a literature search (for the literature area in the above scenario). For this activity, you are required to use the CQUniversity seven (7) step literature search process, including the search techniques available within each step, to search the academic databases in the CQUniversity library catalogue. You must use the CQUniversity library catalogue and document your search using the table provided in the Assessment Task One Template (see Assessment Tile in Moodle). 

 
Part 2: Using the Literature

1. From your search results, select five (5) peer-reviewed articles that are most relevant to your leadership role in the Australian Red Cross.
2. Create an annotated bibliography by writing a 150–250 word annotation for each of the five selected pieces of literature. Follow the CQUniversity Annotated Bibliography Info Sheet, available in the eReading List. Your annotated bibliography should contain five entries in total.
3. Write a concise overview (500 words) summarising the key leadership insights gained from your five annotated bibliography entries. Your discussion should synthesise the key themes, trends, and leadership strategies identified in the selected literature.
4. Explain how leadership and management complement each other in emergency and disaster contexts (500 words). Your response should discuss the distinct roles of leadership and management, how they intersect in crisis situations, and why both are essential for effective disaster response and recovery. 

Presentation requirements
You must use the Assessment Task One Template located in the Assessment Tile in Moodle. 
You must submit the document as a Word file or PDF. 

The detailed assessment criteria for this unit is in the form of a rubric, which is available from the Moodle site, however you will be assessed on:-

• Knowledge of leadership theories and styles
• Knowledge of management approaches
• Application of knowledge and skills in contemporary leadership
• Communication and presentation.

Following your research in Assessment 1, your local State Emergency Service (SES) unit has approached you because they heard you were volunteering and that you are studying leadership in emergency and disaster management. They are seeking your help with a short, informative briefing document summarising key learnings from the literature you reviewed and what leadership insights could be valuable for SES leaders and volunteers.

Your role is to prepare an evidence-based leadership brief that will help SES team members understand key contemporary leadership strategies and how they can be effectively applied in the SES context.

This brief should be clear, informative, and practical, ensuring SES members can apply the insights to their emergency response and disaster management operations.

The following are points you should address in your assessment:

1. Overview of leadership in emergency and disaster management (500 words).

• Define leadership in emergency and disaster management and explain its importance.
• Summarise key leadership challenges faced in emergency response situations.
• Highlight recent trends and developments in leadership strategies, as identified in your literature review.

2. Evaluation of leadership theories and their relevance to the SES (1000 words).

• Choose two (2) leadership theories that are particularly relevant to emergency and disaster management (e.g. Transformational Leadership, Situational Leadership, Servant Leadership, Crisis Leadership, Meta-Leadership).
• Explain the key principles of each theory and how they apply to emergency contexts.
• Provide examples of how these theories have been used effectively in real-world disaster responses.

3. Provide practical recommendations on how SES leaders and volunteers can apply these leadership styles in different emergency scenarios (e.g., search and rescue, flood response, community evacuations) (500 words).

Your response must be supported by appropriate literature and referenced accordingly. Please see the marking rubric for further guidance.

You are free to present the response in a written format that best suits you; however, you must respond to each requirement (2000 words in total).

Presentation guidelines:

Referencing: All sources must be cited and referenced appropriately throughout this task in the correct APA 7th Edition style; ensure that you use the CQU Library guide for APA style.
Word count: 2000 words +/-10%, excluding the cover page, in-text citations, the reference list and appendices. Calculate your word count minus exclusions prior to submission and include this on the cover page.
File format: Submit your document in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx).
Grading rubric: Please refer to the Moodle site for additional assessment information, such as the assignment marking rubric and template.
Turnitin: All submissions are subject to Turnitin scans, and all Turnitin reports are scrutinised. All instances of plagiarism are reported to the Academic Misconduct Board for review.
Late submissions: Late submissions will be accepted, but penalties will accrue at 5% for every part or full calendar day past the due date.

The assessment criteria for this unit are in the form of a rubric, which is available from the Moodle unit site. Broadly, you will be assessed on:

• Ability to critically evaluate leadership styles in the context of emergency and disaster management;
• Effective use of a case study or real-world example to illustrate the practical application of leadership theories;
• Application of knowledge and skills related to accessing research and literature sources;
• Analysis and interpretation of literature and understanding in relation to emergency and disaster management issues;
• Communication and presentation.