We make decisions every day that carry a degree of risk. For example, we choose to jaywalk instead of going a little further to cross at a traffic light, or we choose not to bring out an umbrella because of how inconvenient it is to carry. We face bigger decisions too: whether to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or seek a new job in the current economic climate. From trivial decisions through to life-changing ones, having a better understanding of the risks we face – backed up by information and research – can make us more effective and more confident in our decisions.
To help people grasp and use risk information, the LRF Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk (IPUR) is launching a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Understanding and Communicating Risk, available to everyone through the online education platform EdX. The aim of the introductory course is to help individuals get a deeper understanding of what lies behind our risk perceptions and to master the tools to communicate risk information effectively to others.
The course is designed to be accessible to different groups of people – professionals, government agencies, regulators and the media, and scientists and students – and requires no prior qualifications. Over six weeks, the team of instructors will take you through key concepts relating to risk, factors that shape risk perception and the range of approaches and channels for effective risk communication and then apply these concepts to the domains of health, climate and environment, and technology.
To add to the learning experience, the course will be supplemented by interviews with international experts in the field such as Lisa Robinson, Senior Adviser at BBC Media Action, the British Broadcasting Corporation’s international development charity, and Paul Slovic, Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon.
The course is available at learner’s pace so enrol now!
The course essentials can be found on our e-brochure. Find out what you can look forward to in the course breakdown here.