Risk analysis under attack: How risk science can address the legal, social, and reputational liabilities faced by risk analysts

The role of the risk analyst is critical in understanding and managing uncertainty. However, there is another type of uncertainty that is rarely discussed: The legal, social, and reputational liabilities of the risk analyst. Recent events have shown that professionals participating in risk analysis can be held personally liable. It is timely and important to ask: How can risk science guide risk analysis with consideration of those liabilities, particularly in response to emerging and unprecedented risk. This paper studies this topic by: (1) Categorizing how professionals with risk analysis responsibilities have historically been held liable, and (2) developing a framework to address uncertainty related to those potential liabilities. The result of this framework will enable individual analysts and organizations to investigate and manage the expectations of risk analysts and others as they apply risk principles and methods. This paper will be of interest to risk researchers, risk professionals, and industry professionals who seek maturity within their risk programs.publishedVersio

On how to characterize and confront misinformation in a risk context

Misinformation is one of the largest challenges for risk assessment and communication. However, the term misinformation in relation to risk has not yet been clearly interpreted by the risk field. Basic definitions of misinformation point to false, incorrect, inaccurate and misleading information. However, when it comes to risk, there is in many cases no reference for what is the truth - the risk magnitude needs to be evaluated on the basis of analysis and judgments. What is judged as misinformation by some, could be seen as adequate information by others. In this paper we reflect on the meaning and scope of the misinformation concept in relation to risk and uncertainty. The main goal is to obtain new knowledge on the topic by relating the discussion to risk science fundamentals, on the understanding, characterization and perception of risk. A structure for a classification of misinformation in relation to risk is proposed. Several measures are also presented to explore how to meet the misinformation challenge in risk contexts.publishedVersio