How do people perceive the risks of natural disasters, new technologies, or medical treatments like vaccines? And how can we communicate such risks clearly and transparently to support informed decision-making among consumers?

This course explores the science behind risk perception and communication. We will examine different types of risk and uncertainty, how individuals interpret them, and how to communicate them effectively. Topics include experimental methods, key research findings, common misconceptions, and the cognitive processes that shape our understanding of risk.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Define key concepts related to risk and uncertainty.
• Describe experimental paradigms used to study risk perception, like decisions from description and decision from experience.
• Critically analyze empirical and theoretical research.
• Apply insights to involving public communication of risk.
• Design strategies for improving how risk-related information is conveyed and understood in real-world challenges

Competence Certificate

·        Presentation of a research topic

·        Active participation

·        Homework assignments

·        Designing and presenting an intervention to improve the understanding or communication of risk and uncertainty (e.g., an online tool, a visualization for a specific topic, or training programme)

Dhami, M. K., & Mandel, D. R. (2022). Communicating uncertainty using words and numbers. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 26(6), 514-526. 10.1016/j.tics.2022.03.002 

Slovic, P. (1987). Perception of risk. Science, 236(4799), 280–285. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3563507

Tannenbaum, D., Fox, C. R., & Ülkümen, G. (2017). Judgment extremity and accuracy under epistemic vs. aleatory uncertainty. Management Science, 63(2), 497-518. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2015.2344

Van Der Bles, A. M., van der Linden, S., Freeman, A. L., & Spiegelhalter, D. J. (2020). The effects of communicating uncertainty on public trust in facts and numbers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(14), 7672-7683. 10.1073/pnas.1913678117

This class will be taught in English. The number of participants is limited to 12 participants.

The registration will take place via the WiWi portal. If too many students register, students in higher semesters are selected first. Further selection will take place on a first-come, first served basis.