Risk in an era of Misinformation

In a world where false narratives travel faster than facts, how do we assess, understand and communicate risk? This seminar explores the shifting landscape of decision-making in an era of misinformation and examines its impact on public health and everyday choices. Drawing on research, attendees will gain insights on strategies for detecting signals, communicating risk, and strengthening resilience.

About the Speaker

Prof Heidi Larson is Professor of Anthropology, Risk and Decision Science, and Director of The Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine(UK) and Clinical Professor, Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle (USA). In 2021, Prof Larson launched the Global Listening Project and conducted a 70-country study of public experiences and trust ecosystems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof Larson also leads the Lancet-LSHTM Commission on the Emotional Determinants of Health.

She formerly headed Strategy and Communications around new vaccine introduction for UNICEF’s Global Immunization Programme and served on the WHO SAGE Working Group on Vaccine Hesitancy. Prof Larson is the author of STUCK: How Vaccine Rumors Start – and Why They Don’t Go Away (Oxford University Press, 2020). In 2021 she was named by BBC as one of the 100 most influential women in the world and was awarded the 2021 Edinburgh Award for Science.