It Should Never Happen Again

Dr Mike Lauder questions the value of public inquiries. Every day, we hear about another inquiry being set up, or why the last one failed. Time and money is spent on inquiries and on implementing their recommendations, but they do not lead to the learning they should. Based on research into high profile inquiries and commissions, It Should Never Happen Again focuses on the gaps between what is known, what knowledge is used by practitioners and by those who judge them. It contrasts the judicial perspective of those who inquire, the academic perspective of those who know, and the practical perspective of those who are required to act. The difference between these perspectives creates barriers that impede others from learning from inquiries. Crucially, inquiry outcomes do not assist the leadership of organisations to improve risk governance. The author offers new models for understanding risk and its governance.