Modelling Risk Perception and Risk Communication in Nuclear Emergency Management: An Interdisciplinary Approach

In the thesis, risk perception and risk communication are modelled in the context of different nuclear events and communication campaigns; for this purpose an interdisciplinary approach is used, combining several research fields: risk communication, political communication, risk perception, emergency management, radiation protection and opinion formation. The investigated case studies range from communication in the framework of nuclear emergency preparedness, to crisis communication and post crisis communication of radiological risks. . A new approach based on a prominent model adapted from political communication is introduced for the analysis of risk communication. Predictors of the reception and the acceptance of information are defined. In addition, the dissertation addresses shortcomings in previous research on media reporting about severe and minor nuclear events by developing strict scientific and coding protocols, measurement methods and codebooks. Several practical guidelines stemming from the research are proposed for sound risk communication in nuclear emergency management.