Basic Science and Risk Communication: Of the People, by the People, for the People. T. S. Peterson, Battelle, Seattle, WA; J. P. Amaya and G. R. Bilyard, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA; A.K. Harding, Dept. of Public Health, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR; and C. Word, Washington State University, Richland, WA
Increased public awareness of environmental activities is requiring agencies to manage risks interactively with the public. Traditional models of risk communication are not adequate to meet the new challenge. This project is developing an interactive process for communicating/managing risks with the public, from basic science to research application. It links basic scientific investigations into bioremediation to the policy, programmatic, social, economic, risk issues important to the general public and stakeholder groups. It studies the critical elements of basic science communication and has promise to enhance scientists’ interaction and communication with the public. Qualitative data collection methods included structured focus group sessions and individual interviews with both "veteran" stakeholders and members of the public new to the involvement process. Preliminary findings show: 1) Communication of basic science requires a process-oriented approach tailored to the situation and the community, considering both technical and social concerns. Stakeholders desire to be involved early in the process, needing to have basic science explained in a "real-world" context. 2) The broader public is uniquely qualified in identifying cultural barriers to communication around scientific issues, and contributing expertise relevant to values, trust, risk mitigation and tradeoffs, technical control issues, and health and safety concerns.
Work supported by the Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC06-76RLO).
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