ABSTRACT

Risk science is becoming increasingly important as businesses, policymakers and public sector leaders are tasked with decision-making and investment using varying levels of knowledge and information. Risk Science: An Introduction explores the theory and practice of risk science, providing concepts and tools for understanding and acting under conditions of uncertainty.

The chapters in this work cover the fundamental concepts, principles, approaches, methods and models for how to understand, assess, communicate, manage and govern risk. These topics are presented and examined in a way which details how they relate, for example, how to characterize and communicate risk with particular emphasis on reflecting uncertainties; how to distinguish risk perception and professional risk judgments; how to assess risk and guide decision-makers, especially for cases involving large uncertainties and value differences; and how to integrate risk assessment with resilience-based strategies. The text provides a variety of examples and case studies that relate to highly visible and relevant issues facing risk academics, practitioners and non-risk leaders who must make risk-related decisions.

Presenting both the foundational and most recent advancements in the subject matter, this work particularly suits students of risk science courses at college and university level. The book also provides broader key reading for students and scholars in other domains, including business, engineering and public health.

chapter Chapter 1|6 pages

Illustrative examples

part I|52 pages

Basic concepts

chapter Chapter 2|15 pages

What is risk?

chapter Chapter 3|35 pages

Measuring and describing risk

part II|68 pages

Risk assessment

chapter Chapter 4|26 pages

Basic theory of risk assessment

chapter Chapter 5|40 pages

More on risk assessment methods

part III|66 pages

Risk perception and communication

chapter Chapter 6|35 pages

Risk perception

chapter Chapter 7|29 pages

Risk communication

part IV|63 pages

Risk management

chapter Chapter 8|37 pages

Basic theory of risk management

chapter Chapter 9|24 pages

Methods for balancing different concerns

Decision and cost-benefit analysis

part V|41 pages

Tackling practical risk problems and issues

chapter Chapter 10|19 pages

General knowledge and experience

chapter Chapter 11|20 pages

Cases

Personal, organizational and public