SC2.8 ECS
Science communication on hard mode: risk, uncertainty, disasters and controversies
Convener: Bárbara Ferreira | Co-convener: Hazel Gibson
Fri, 12 Apr, 14:00–15:45
 
Room -2.16

When a strong earthquake strikes, a hurricane is close to making landfall in a populated area, or an extreme heatwave is sweeping a continent, scientists are often called upon to address the public. Communicating science in these situations can be particularly hard, not only because human lives could be at stake but because the available information about the event may be incomplete. How can you best communicate risk and uncertainty in a quick and effective matter? In this short course, we will address this question and look into how best to communicate controversial issues in sensitive situations.

Those interested in attending this short course, might also be interested in the EOS4.3 session, 'Communicating geoscience in the face of modern geocontroversy': https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2019/session/32817

SPEAKERS
Stephen Hicks, Postdoctoral Researcher in Seismology, Imperial College London, UK
Cathelijne Stoof, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, the Netherlands
Boris Behncke, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Osservatorio Etneo - Sezione di Catania, Italy [TBC]
Terri Cook, freelance (geo)science journalist, US

Public information:
Paul Williams, Professor of Atmospheric Science in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, UK, will also be speaking at this short course.