Panel Discussion:  Risk Communication

This session will consist of a panel discussion about risk communication and the built environment.  Each panel member will spend 10 minutes reflecting on their knowledge or experience of risk communication, with reference to how it relates to the built environment and earthquake engineering.  The session will start with Lauren Vinnell providing a broad overview of people’s understanding of risk and the principles of risk communication.  She will provide examples from the earthquake domain, and highlight the complexities that exist in communicating risk.  Kelvin Tapuke will consider earthquake communication across space and time, and highlight the importance of communication in terms of getting the right people together to talk about risk and resilience.  Anna Cardno will provide an overview of the complexity of communicating science and risk in practice, using the recent launch of the New Zealand Seismic Hazard Model as an example.  Finally, Dave Brunsdon will provide insights and examples of how some local and central government agencies consider, communicate and act upon earthquake risk information, and share some thoughts on the additional challenges imposed by the Health and Safety at Work Act. Following the speakers, there will then be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions, or contribute to the discussion.