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Risk Perception and Risk Communication in Toxicology

RIVM, Bilthoven
1 week
1.5 ECTS
Tuition fees

Aim of the course 

Effective risk communication aims to help people to understand health risks and make informed decisions to protect or enhance their health and well-being. Effective communication goes beyond presenting epidemiological or toxicological data in a simple and understandable way. It is also about building confidence in experts and empowering individuals to make their own choices. For successful practice, it is essential to understand how people perceive risks, process information, and make decisions, while considering the social, cultural, and policy contexts. This and more will be covered in the PET course risk perception and risk communication in toxicology. 

Both in online sessions and in a classroom setting lectures will be given by experts and practitioners in the field of (risk) communication about (exposure to) chemicals. Through lectures and assignments the participants will gain theoretical and practical experience in risk communication. 

Some of the subjects: 

  • Risk perception basics:  risk characteristics, mental models, expert vs. citizens perspectives,  
  • Risk communication basics: definition, goals, target populations, strategies 
  • Lay judgment and decision making about risks: Information processing, heuristics and biases 
  • Chemical risk perception: Intuitive toxicology, dose-response insensitivity, hazards vs. risk perception, exposure perception 
  • Presenting risk information: Semantics, numerical or verbal risk information, uncertainty, framing 
  • Societal and political context of risk communication 

Outcomes (competences, skills)

After following this course, the participant will be able to 

  • Knowledge of different perspectives on risk (technical, social, cultural) and factors that influence how citizens and experts perceive health risks. (How do people understand risks?) 
  • Understanding how citizens assess, process, and make decisions about health risk information. (How do people process information and make choices?)  
  • Insight into the relationship between risk perception and the social and policy context. (In what context does risk communication take place?) 
  • Develop skills in communicating (quantitative) risk information effectively, balanced, and accessibly. (How do you communicate risks?) 

Coordinator: Dr. Tom Jansen and Prof. Dr. Danielle Timmermans

Examination
Student individual assignment (risk communication/layman’s pitch on own daily practice/research) will be assessed by experts and peers.

Please note that the course can be cancelled up to one month before its starting date, when the number of applications is below the minimum required. For general inquiries please contact the PET Office.

Systems Toxicology
Risk Assessment