Research on risk communication
What it's about
Consumer health protection involves not only research and risk assessment but also risk communication. According to international standards, risk communication goes far beyond the mere transfer of information. Not only are actual risks important, but also how they are communicated in the media and how risks are subjectively perceived.
Our tasks
Scientific findings must be communicated in a transparent and comprehensible manner in order to promote a rational approach to risks. To this end, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment engages in active dialogue with various contacts from science, industry, politics, the media, associations, non-governmental organisations and consumer groups. The research projects on risk communication deal with questions of risk perception, early risk detection and risk impact assessment. Representative surveys, consumer conferences, Delphi surveys and focus groups are used as instruments for this purpose. The main disciplines of social science research are psychology and communication studies, alongside sociology and political science.
Risk perception
The objective here is to establish how risks are perceived by various stakeholder groups and consumers. Furthermore, the influence of the mass media on the perception of risks is also examined. Besides measuring risk perception, factors are identified that influence the perception of risks. They can help to explain the emergence of controversies or their failure to materialise. Finally, the recording of risk perception serves the purpose of the constructive processing of possible differences in perception between BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and its stakeholders.
Early risk detection
Another focus of work is the development and implementation of early risk detection methods. This helps to identify, characterise and - if possible - quantify emerging risks in a timely manner. The goal is to speedily develop risk management options - the prerequisite for a quick and appropriate response to each respective situation.
Risk impact assessment
Finally, the projects look at questions of risk impact assessment and this encompasses both the consequences of risks themselves and the consequences of a risk assessment, too. Special attention is paid in this context to the problem of risk trade-offs.
Research projects are designed and carried out in the main areas outlined above. At the same time, new forms of communication are tested that support the ongoing development and optimisation of risk communication.