New content available on IPUR’s “Understanding and Communicating Risk” online course

New and exciting content now available on our edX “Understanding and Communicating Risk” online course! Brought to you by our collaborators over at Risk know-how, Maricarmen Climént, Research and Editorial Officer at Sense About Science, and Alfie Hoar, Project and Engagement Officer at Risk know-how, introduce and discuss three concepts surrounding risk and decision making.

Uncertainty
In a world where few things are 100% certain, understanding uncertainty is essential for informed decision-making. In science, uncertainties arise from what we don’t know, the precision of our calculations, and the quality of the available evidence. This short video provides basic guidance on how to communicate all types of uncertainty, to help individuals and communities navigate uncertainty in their decision-making.

Communicating benefits and harms
When making decisions there is no one correct way to act, and the best option often isn’t obvious. To help people make informed decision, it is essential to present both the potential benefits and harms clearly and transparently. Get some tips on how to communicate information in a balanced way, avoiding common pitfalls.

Instincts
We often rely on gut feelings, believing they lead us to the right choice. However, our intuition or instinct can often mislead us due to unconscious biases in our brain influencing our decision-making such as confirmation bias and anchoring bias. This short video guides you on how to recognise these biases and avoid them when making decisions.