Dr. Dana Harsell’s political science and public administration students took part in a flu pandemic simulation last semester

As a flu virus rages worldwide, policy makers from four nations race to contain the virus, stop the pandemic, and save lives.

Should they quarantine? Close borders? Restrict travel? Distribute masks and hand sanitizer? Focus on novel vaccine development?

Each decision has implications. How many lives can be saved? Is there enough money to develop a vaccine? How will decisions affect each nation?

All of those questions were asked – and answered – not last week, but last semester, as UND students simulated what turned out to be a prescient scenario of world events. Uncannily similar to the current coronavirus outbreak, this flu pandemic simulation was held during the Fall 2019 term for UND political science and public administration students.

UND was the first university in the nation to employ this simulation for classroom use, said Dana Harsell, associate professor of political science & public administration and an expert in policy development, who last week gave a presentation about the experience at a conference in New Mexico.

National competitions

The simulation was developed by NASPAA, the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration, in partnership with the Batten School at the University of Virginia. NASPAA accredits UND’s Master of Public Administration program and also sponsors global simulation competitions for students.

UND MPA students have taken part in those national competitions every year, Harsell said, adding that in 2018, a pandemic simulation was held at the University of Washington, where he served as a judge.

Other simulations have included sessions on climate change, refugees, food security and more. UND Master of Public Administration student Nick Jensen took home the top prize in the world food security simulation, and placed internationally in 2017.

After the contest is complete, NASPAA makes the simulations available free for classroom use, and Harsell took advantage of the offer.