Do you need to communicate risk effectively and strategically to others? If your work has any implications for decision-making, we at COMPASS Science Communication believe the answer is yes. Whether it’s sharing the complexity and tradeoffs of management decisions, or translating technical information for community planning, effective risk communication can improve comprehension and decision making, while building trust and relationships in the process.

The Gulf region has faced a variety of environmental and human-caused challenges that have significantly impacted both communities and ecosystems. These include acute events such as hurricanes and oil spills, as well as ongoing stressors like sea level rise, land subsidence, and water quality degradation.  As these challenges persist, effective risk communication will be crucial for informing communities, building trust, and promoting informed decision-making during emergencies and everyday situations. Effective risk communication ensures that people understand potential hazards and impacts, and how to respond effectively.

Research shows that scientists and technical experts are some of the most effective messengers when it comes to engagement with non-science audiences,  but it can be challenging to communicate risk to others in compassionate, meaningful ways. We know more than ever about how risk information is processed in the brain, and applying those insights to our risk communication will help our audiences better understand risk and make more informed decisions about their health, safety, and the environment around them.

During this presentation, we will discuss the science behind risk communication and share advice for developing key risk messages to be more meaningful, compassionate, and actionable. Since 1999, COMPASS has supported scientists to communicate their work and engage in clear, lively terms, pairing fundamental skill building with strategies and connections to drive impact.