European conference on risk perception

Organisers:

Samuel Rufat, University of Cergy-Pontoise, Paris, France
Alexander Fekete, University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, Germany
Thomas Hartmann, Wageningen University, Netherlands

The actual behaviour of individuals and government entities before, during, and immediately after a disaster can dramatically affect the impact, vulnerability, recovery time and resilience. Despite decades of research on disaster risk and perception, studies on actual damages and responses after disasters, decision-making tools, and actionable knowledge of the actual behaviour of the populations are still a challenge. Whilst risk perception, evacuation behaviour, social vulnerability, coping strategies, recovery time, public involvement, management strategies, as well as resilience, are critical factors, they are too often overlooked because linking risk perception and actual behaviour remains a major challenge. And existing big data analyses are still immature in understanding this major knowledge gap between risk perception and response behaviour. Uncertainty derives from lack of information, lack of trust, alternatives, previous experience, but also segregation, oppression, etc.

This European conference is addressing the knowledge gap between risk perception, evacuation, response, and adaptation behaviour. Bringing together over 30 of the most preeminent researchers in the field from 14 European countries, it aims to build a panoramic European view.

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