ASC2020 - 16-19 Feb, Melbourne

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December 16, 2019 by phildooley

Effective communication of uncertainty for hazards and risk: identifying decision-relevant information

Disaster risk management requires effective communication of complex technical information: in pre-event planning and mitigation, in response activities and during recovery processes. These range from technical risk assessments to impact projections, and simulations of the outcomes of recovery and adaptation decisions.

Each relies on a suite of numerical models, from models of the hazard (e.g., tsunami) to economic projections of decision impacts. Many novel processes exist to communicate these models to both the public and decision makers in policy and practice settings.

However, how we communicate the uncertainty inherent to these models remains a challenge. Non-communication of uncertainties is problematic: interdependencies between event characteristics over time create evolving uncertainties that can eclipse any simulated outcome uncertainties.

We review the literature covering the many challenges of communicating uncertainty, and present the findings of a metasynthesis literature review for effective communication of model uncertainties. Themes identified include:

  1. clear typologies to identify and communicate uncertainties,
  2. effective engagement with users to identify uncertainties to focus on and when,
  3. managing ensembles, confidence, bias, consensus and dissensus,
  4. methods for communicating uncertainties., e.g., maps, graphs, time, and
  5. the lack of evaluation of many approaches currently in use.

We propose communicators move from a one-way dissemination of advice, towards two-way and participatory approaches that identify decision-relevant uncertainty and data information needs pre-event, via a shared uncertainty management scheme. This will help identify what communication efforts should focus on during a crisis, and thus enhance situation awareness and data sharing throughout the disaster cycle.

Session

Communication Strategies to Mitigate Risk

Presenting author:

Emma Hudson-Doyle, Senior Lecturer, Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University (New Zealand)

Co-authors:

Douglas Paton, Professor, College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University
David Johnston, Professor, Senior Scientist, GNS Science (New Zealand’s Geological Survey), Massey University (New Zealand)
Richard Smith, Director, Resilience to Nature’s Challenges, GNS Science (New Zealand)

 

When: In session Wednesday 19th February,1:50pm-2:35pm

Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag:

Filed Under: Day 4, Research

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Questions? Please contact Kali on asc2020@asc.asn.au.

Acknowledgements

© 2020 Australian Science Communicators

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