Effective Risk Communication:
Theory, Tools, and Practical Skills for
Communicating About Risk
May 17–19, 2010 (Dates Tentative)
Boston, Massachusetts

**Please Note**

 The following information is currently being updated. The program below reflects information from 2009 and is subject to change.

Register for 2010

Download the 2009 Brochure

This program is recognized by the Society for Risk Analysis.

While your competition is cutting costs and playing it safe, now is the perfect time for your organization to toughen its resolve, keep up with industry trends, and distinguish itself from the pack. This in-depth program features the latest scientific findings on risk perception, case studies from around the world, a suite of practical tools, and hands-on skill training.

 

Presented by prominent faculty from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, the Risk Management Centre at King's College London, and the Center for Risk Perception and Communication at Carnegie Mellon University.

From terrorism to refusal of vaccines to natural disasters, new risks arise as fast as the next news cycle. Risks also accompany the benefits we enjoy from many activities and technologies. Making wise choices requires understanding such risks and benefits. Risk communication is a tool for creating that understanding, closing the gap between lay people and experts, and helping people make more informed choices. This introductory program will introduce the scientific foundations for effective risk communication.

This program presents risk communication as a combination of actions, words, and other messages, which validate and work with—not against— people’s perceptions, in order to encourage more informed and healthier decisions. This approach can move your agenda forward, while serving public and environmental health, by encouraging more reasoned behavior among the people you are trying to influence and serve.

Most risk issues involve two hazards: the physical hazard itself, and the reaction to it. In some cases—including vaccinations, terrorism, industrial chemicals, and nuclear power—high public concern can be a greater danger than the hazard itself. In other cases—such as indoor air pollution, food poisoning, obesity, and cigarette smoking—low levels of public concern can also present significant health risks. Biases in risk perception can create hazard in and of itself. These biases can also generate opposition to the siting of facilities, the creation of new products, or the adoption of risk management regulations and procedures.

A World-Class Combination of Theory and Practical Tools

During this economic downturn, help your organization stay ahead of the curve by attending this in-depth program. This program features the latest scientific findings on risk perception, case studies from around the world, a suite of practical tools, and hands-on skill training. The program will help you and your organization communicate about risk to various audiences.

Upon Completion of this Program, Participants Will be Able to

What Participants Will Learn

Risk Perception

Mental Models

Lessons from Case Studies

Application of Risk Communication

Who Should Attend

Program Directors

Jennifer S. Lerner, PhD
Professor of Public Policy and Management
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University

Ragnar E. Löfstedt, PhD
Professor and Director
King’s Centre for Risk Management
School of Social Science and Public Policy
King’s College London

Faculty

Wändi Bruine de Bruin, PhD
Research Faculty
Department of Social and Decision Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University

Nicola Carslaw, BA
Media consultant/Contributing editor
BBC News
Nicola Carslaw Associates
United Kingdom

Baruch Fischhoff, PhD
Howard Heinz University Professor
Engineering and Public Policy/
Social and Decision Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University

Gail E. McDermott, CPA, CIA
Director
Risk Management and Audit Services
Harvard University

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Agenda (Reflects 2009 Information)

Monday, May 18, 2009: THEORY
8:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45 Welcome, Introductions, Course Overview, and Learning Objectives
— Lerner
9:15 Risk Perception and Communication: An Introduction — Löfstedt
10:45 Refreshment Break
11:00 Science Update: The Effects of Emotion on Risk Perception
— Lerner
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30

Media Coverage of Risk — Carslaw
3:00 Refreshment Break
3:30 The Importance of Trust in Understanding Risk Communication
— Löfstedt
5:00 Sessions End / Welcome Reception at Harvard Faculty Club
Tuesday, May 19, 2009: TOOLS
8:30 am Continental Breakfast
9:00 Mental Models: A Systematic Approach to Message Development
— Bruine de Bruin
10:30 Refreshment Break
11:00 Case Study I: Handwashing (small group exercise) — Bruine de Bruin
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 Risk Communication in the 21st Century — Fischhoff
3:00 Refreshment Break
3:30 Moderated Panel Discussion on Risk Communication
— Carslaw, Fischhoff, Löfstedt
5:00 Sessions End
Wednesday, May 20, 2009: PRACTICAL SKILLS
8:30 am Continental Breakfast
9:00 Risk Communication: Lessons From the Front Lines — McDermott
10:30 Refreshment Break
11:00 Case Study II: Acrylamide (small group exercise) — Löfstedt
12:30 pm Final Thoughts — Löfstedt
1:00 Adjournment

Agenda is subject to change

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Continuing Education Credit (Reflects 2009 Information)

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Program Check-In

Harvard School of Public Health
FXB Building
651 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
617.384.8692

The program takes place at the Harvard School of Public Health, located in the heart of the Harvard Longwood Campus in Boston. Public transportation is also readily available to the city's many shopping districts, museums and restaurants. For directions, please click here.

Accommodations (Reflects 2009 Information)

The Colonnade
120 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617.724.7000
$229 single/double occupancy +12.45% tax

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at this discounted rate until April 26, 2009. Reservations should be made at the time of confirmation. Please state the program name and the Harvard School of Public Health to receive the special rate. The Colonnade Hotel is a 5-minute cab ride, approximately 1.4 miles from program location.

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What Participants Say

“The course provided the unique opportunity to discuss risk communications and share experiences and best practices with practitioners from around the globe.”

— Sarah Lawley
Director, Communications
Public Health Agency of Canada
Ottawa, ON

“I will highly recommend this course to colleagues in my agency. This course was organized, compelling, and informative. I will take back what I have learned in this course and apply the principles immediately to my work.”

— Joanne Cox
Associate Director for Communication Science
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Atlanta, GA

“This course offered an excellent mix of real-world application, case studies, and emerging research that is important for anyone communicating risk to the public as well as assessing and managing risk.”

— Zeno Bain
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC

“A solid program with top-tier faculty. An excellent value.”

— Ian McCammon
Principal Scientist
SP Technology
Salt Lake City, UT

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Program Fee (Dates and fees subject to change)

$1,395 if payment received after February 19, 2010
$1,495 if payment received between February 20 and May 10, 2010
$1,595 if payment received after May 10, 2010

Program fee includes:



Group Discounts Available: Register with a colleague and receive a 15% discount on each full tuition. Receive a 20% discount when three or more colleagues from your organization register. That means, when you participate with four colleagues, a fifth colleague can attend tuition free! This is an excellent professional development opportunity that can serve as a strategy-building retreat for your team.Please email us at contedu@hsph.harvard.edu or call us at 617.384.8692 for more information.

Workforce Training Funding for Massachusetts Employers: This program is eligible for Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development funding grants. Massachusetts companies may be eligible for up to 50% off program fees. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development for assistance on filling out the approval forms:

1.800.252.1591
http://www.mass.gov/wtf

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Payment Policy

Payment must be made in US funds and received in order to process your registration. Payment by credit card is strongly preferred (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx). If paying by check, please make check payable to Harvard School of Public Health-CCPE. Space is limited. Note: Please do not make non-refundable flight arrangements until you have received confirmation from us.

Substitution/Cancellation Policy

Substitutions may be made without additional charge. All requests for substitutions or cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellation on or before March 26, 2010 will be issued a refund less a $150 administrative fee per person. Cancellations received between March 27, 2010 and April 23, 2010 will be issued a refund of 50%. After April 23, 2010, no refund will be issued. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

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Ways to Register

  1. To register online simply check off the item below and click Register Now.
  2. Call 617.384.8692 and register over the phone. You may also call this number for any registration questions you may have.

 

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