Academic focus: Risk communication
Research summary: I study how societies communicate, interpret and govern risk amid technological innovation, political controversy and environmental change. My research asks three interconnected questions: Why do we disagree about risk? How can we tackle complex risk communication problems? And what do concepts such as risk, transparency, misinformation and uncertainty really mean? I deliberately work across sectors, studying risk issues in contexts spanning public health, emerging technologies, energy and environmental change. My current projects focus on next-generation geothermal energy, renewable energy development, solar geoengineering, pharmaceutical regulation, lead ammunition, chronic wasting disease and wildfire smoke.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Most of my time outside work is spent with my wife and our young family. Beyond that, I enjoy understanding how things work, uncovering their hidden complexities and (hopefully!) becoming good at them. At different times, that has meant playing poker, kayaking, watching rugby, brewing beer, perfecting my espresso-making, renovating our home or reading about philosophy, history and politics. My interests come and go, but what never changes is my belief that almost everything is more interesting and complicated than it first appears.
What brought you to Cornell CALS?
Since first collaborating with colleagues in CALS’ Department of Communication in 2011, I have seen why it is regarded as one of the world’s leading centers for risk communication. My new role gives me the opportunity to build on that tradition while helping shape the next chapter of risk communication scholarship and practice. What makes CALS especially exciting is that the college brings communication researchers together with natural scientists, extension colleagues, policymakers and communities, creating an ideal environment for addressing complex local and global challenges, from climate change and emerging technologies to public health and sustainable agriculture.
What is an interesting fact about your field of study that you think everyone should know?
Risk communication is not simply about finding the right words or providing more information to “nonexperts.” People interpret risks through their own experiences, values, relationships and levels of trust. Effective risk communication, therefore, requires listening, building relationships and designing fair processes. Often, that means changing more than risk messages. It may require rethinking the decisions we make, the processes we follow or even what we are trying to achieve. The best risk communicators are not rigid but curious, evidence-informed, strategically flexible and willing to adapt as evidence, perspectives and circumstances evolve.
Why did you feel inspired to pursue a career in this field?
I came to risk communication through geography and risk analysis, but what really got me hooked was a simple question: Why can the same risks be interpreted so differently by different people? Growing up and studying in the U.K. during events such as mad cow disease, the foot-and-mouth outbreak, the London bombings and the swine flu pandemic, I became fascinated by the gap between how experts define risks and how people experience and interpret them. Those experiences have shaped my career ever since, allowing me to pursue intellectually challenging questions while helping institutions make better decisions and build stronger relationships with the communities they serve.
