In December, the OpenDRI team attended the annual meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) to explore partnerships related to a new research project on innovative approaches to using risk information. Our work in this area has led us to explore a variety of tactics outside the traditional toolbox of risk modelers, including exploration of the opportunities offered by serious games, partnering with governments to build specialized tools for analyzing risk data , and working with participatory mapping techniques to make risk assessment more inclusive. This new research will review these projects as well as other innovations in the field to help us chart the path forward for the next generation of OpenDRI’s activities. Specifically, the project is focused on:
1) assessing the efficacy of our risk communication work with our in-country partners and its contribution to the wider community of practice in which we participate;
2) more clearly framing our activities in this area as they relate to research into the fields of risk communication, citizen science, and civic technology; and
3) identifying innovations and best practices in the field that can be incorporated into OpenDRI projects.
The research will provide both a framework for assessing this work as well as clear and practical guidance for those seeking to implement similar efforts.
The team had a great time at SRA, and our conversations with friends and colleagues there both reinforced the importance of this research and provided valuable feedback on early versions of the concept note.
We’re now looking to take the next steps with this project and bring on board a partner to help us conduct the research. We have posted the project on the World Bank’s eConsult website. Further details can be found under selection #1235109.
Please have a look and share with your networks. We welcome expressions of interest from academic institutions, private or non-profit organizations, and partnerships.
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