Lab

Risk Perception Politics

As a political scientist I am interested both in the political nature of the formation of risk perceptions, in terms of their power dynamics, processes where social, political, cultural, and psychological factors interact, and in their political relevance, that is, their influence on collective responses (behaviors, decision making, collective actions, institutional or policy responses) and their consequences for people’s daily lives, functioning and well-being of their societies.

Policy action lab, which seeks to promote a practical approach for thinking and working politically on perceptions of risks. This requires a creative political method (skills and tools) for doing applied political analysis and for designing strategies for their management or change.

  • The project is the product of a process of reflection-action and the experience lived during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Although it arises during the pandemic, its contribution is not limited to public health and seeks to be useful for a variety of public concerns and in different policy areas.
  • The pandemic has reminded us of the central relevance of considering the political dimension of perceptions of risk and its role in responses and decisions.
  • The gap between risk perception studies and the development of skills and tools for policy action.
  • Therefore, the need to develop analysis and strategy design skills, to have practical tools that can be applicable to real problems and situations, sensitive to diverse and usually complex contexts.

The approach promoted – TWP-P – has two assumptions that, in dialogue or integrated, seek to promote a practical and innovative perspective of analysis and management of perceptions,

  • On the one hand, while it is recognized that perceptions of risks influence responses, whether in behaviors, decisions, collective actions or policies,
  • It is also necessary to understand (the link between such perceptions and) perceptions of responses to problems involving risk, as part of a political process that influences not only the formation of risk perceptions themselves, decision or policy making, but also the implementation of responses.
  • This opens up a more innovative and comprehensive perspective for thinking and acting politically both in understanding the shape of risk perceptions, their influence on a variety of responses and decision-making processes, but also the role that perceptions of responses play in the politics of policy change and implementation.

 

Some Purposes

  • Close the gap between scientific research and practical application.
  • Develop skills and practical tools for understanding and managing perceptions of risks.
  • To make practical experiences visible (mapping of strategies, tactics, innovation in different settings and countries).
  • Global collaborative dialogues and linkages (perception diplomacy)
  • Promote the relevance of the role of risk perception in international development.