Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jens Oliver Zinn 

Present day societies are confronted with a growing number of crises from climate change to the recent coronavirus pandemic and the Ukrainian war. All these require legitimate political responses that include encouragement of public commitment, for example, to sustainable living, to get vaccinated, or to use less fossil fuel and gas. However, successful responses require voluntary support or even enforced compliance with political measures. For democratic societies public debate is central to provide a sense of legitimacy and support for state responses but is increasingly characterised by controversial debate, social divisions, and fragmented discourse bubbles. Therefore, social risk communication has become a major concern to secure public compliance with recommendations and legislation. Risk communication experts have argued for a broader public engagement that would foster better regulative outcomes. However, while there is already advice literature on good risk communication available, their application and implementation are limited. Available knowledge lacks conceptual integration and the consideration of broader societal conditions and changes as well as an understanding of people’s engagement with risk in everyday life. This fellowship revisits key social science theories on risk and discourses in the public sphere and reviews empirical research to enhance understanding and practices of risk communication.