Book launch: Risk and uncertainty assessment for natural hazards
Cabot Institute researchers Jonathan Rougier, Steve Sparks and Lisa Hill are the editors of an important new book -
Risk and uncertainty assessment for natural hazards, published by Cambridge University Press.
Lots of people joined us for a successful launch event and drinks reception, with a brief introduction to the book from volcanologist Professor Steve Sparks FRS. Jonathan Rougier, Lisa Hill and other contributors to the book were also present.
Listen again to Steve Sparks introduction [MP3, 320 KB]
View the introduction powerpoint presentation (PDF, 2,046kB) [PDF, 2 MB]
About the book
Assessment of risk and uncertainty is crucial for natural hazard risk management, facilitating risk communication and informing strategies to successfully mitigate our society's vulnerability to natural disasters. Written by some of the world's leading experts, this book provides a state-of-the-art overview of risk and uncertainty assessment in natural hazards. It presents the core statistical concepts using clearly defined terminology applicable across all types of natural hazards and addresses the full range of sources of uncertainty, the role of expert judgement and the practice of uncertainty elicitation. The core of the book provides detailed coverage of all the main hazard types and concluding chapters address the wider societal context of risk management. This is an invaluable compendium for academic researchers and professionals working in the fields of natural hazards science, risk assessment and management and environmental science and will be of interest to anyone involved in natural hazards policy.
Background information
This book came from a NERC scoping study on the analysis, propagation and communication of probability, uncertainty and risk (SAPPUR). This NERC scoping study was led by two senior scientists affiliated with the Bristol Environmental Risk Research Centre (BRISK): Dr Jonathan Rougier (PI, Statistics Group, Dept Mathematics) and Professor Stephen Sparks FRS (CoI, Earth Sciences, Director of BRISK). It focused on their understanding of risk and uncertainty with respect to natural hazards: how they are assessed and quantified, how they are communicated, to what extent current practices meet the needs of stakeholders, and how the current situation can be improved, with reference to practice in other areas. Full details about this study and its outcomes.