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Climate change, artificial intelligence, water and air pollution, gene technology, earthquakes, infectious disease, vaccines… whatever the risk, scientists, regulators, companies and communities are often at odds. Communities are at a disadvantage when it comes to sharing their perspectives on risk, because the information available can be highly technical.
But while the science may be complex, the basic concepts are not. This course will translate the terminology, untangle the numbers and face the outrage. We will dig beneath the layers of jargon to expose why we have such different views about risk. With this knowledge, we will prepare ourselves and our communities to have more effective conversations about the risks we all face, and how to manage them.
Instructor
Melanie Newfield spent more than 25 years in government agencies assessing, prioritising and communicating about the risks of pests and invasive species, as well as the risks of controlling them. She has also assessed and communicated about invasive species risks in some of the world’s hottest and coolest places, from Mauritius to Antarctica. More recently, she researched biosecurity decision-making for the Bioheritage National Science Challenge. She now works as a science communicator and writer, making the science behind important issues accessible.
Course syllabus
Week 1 Why do we have different views about risk?
This session will consider the factors which influence individual risk perception. We will look at research from the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenges, which identified worldview, disciplinary training and positionality as key factors in risk perception. We will also look at the influence of regulatory focus. We will reflect on our own perspectives and some of the risks which are important to us.
Week 2 How do risk assessors look at risk?
This session will translate the jargon, including terms such as likelihood, impact, uncertainty, bounded and asymmetric. We will cover types of risk assessment, such as qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative, and different ways of describing, measuring and visualising risk.
Week 3 Why do some risks outrage us more than others?
This session will look at why outrage is important, some of the factors which increase or decrease outrage.
Week 3 Why do some risks outrage us more than others? Guest Speaker Peter Sandman
This session will look at the distinction Peter Sandman makes between hazard and outrage, and why the risks which are most likely to kill us aren’t necessarily the ones that we worry about the most. We will explore the different paradigms of risk communication, and what is needed for effective conversations in the different paradigms.
Week 4 What do the numbers mean? Guest Speaker Andrew Robinson
This session will cover the kinds of numbers people may encounter when professionals are talking about risk, and the questions they should ask about those numbers.
Week 5 What is a good risk management decision?
This session will cover decisions about managing risk, and consider what is needed to make good decisions about risks. It will also look at the areas where conflicts can arise over decisions about managing risk, and holding decision-makers to account using principles of good decision-making. This session is based on research from the Bioheritage National Science Challenge on biosecurity decisions and will use biosecurity as a case study.
Week 6 Case study – artificial intelligence with Stephanie Losi
Week 7
Case study – TBC speaker and topic
Week 8
Case studies from course participants
We will discuss a couple of case studies from the risks identified by participants at the start of the course. We will practise articulating what it is we are concerned about and what we would like to see happen to manage these risks.
Zoom sessions
20 February – 10 April 2025
NZDT: Thursday 12:00 pm
EST : Wednesday 6:00 pm
PST: Wednesday 3:00 pm
How this course works
Taking inspiration from the long history around the world of folk education, particularly the Scandinavian and Appalachian traditions, this course is designed to offer a fun, affordable and rigorous experience–that serves the needs of working adults.
Like all folk education, liberation and movement building is at the core of the course. We save ourselves together–and we educate ourselves to build solidarity, share tactics, and create a shared vision for a better future for all of us.
There’s no grades, no assessments, no credentials.
This is about learning for the love of learning and the love of each other.
Course Tools
- Zoom, links will be sent out via email shortly before each class session begins
- Signal (optional)
We will be offering an optional “tech support session” early in the course so that you can ask questions, get help with Signal, and try out the tech tools we will be using.
Please come along if you need any help feeling comfortable with the tools we are using. If you aren’t comfortable with technology, please don’t worry! We will be happy to help you out and work to increase your comfort level.
Model for Each Week and Expectations
Each week will include a ~20-minute pre-recorded lecture and a 90-minute Zoom class session to discuss the material and engage in hands-on activities related to the course material.
We will also provide a list of resources including readings, podcasts, and videos for each week. You can choose to engage with these as we go along or save them for later.
Our goal is to provide readings at a range of levels—if you struggle with reading or have other literacy barriers, you should still find plenty of learning material for you.
You don’t have to be a reader to participate and we aim not to privilege those with better literacy skills.
You are good enough as you are.
Code of Conduct
Our goal is to create a vibrant and engaged learning community where we all prioritise learning and building relationships with each. This course and all Dark Times Academy classes and events aim to be accessible to all people regardless of age, disability, sexuality, background, religion, gender or ethnicity.
A respectful, open attitude towards others is expected from all. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in your removal from the course.
Life is hard enough as it is; leading with kindness and patience is key to a great learning experience, one that ensures all members feel welcomed.
Anxiety, Busyness, and Stress
Doing an online course on top of your full-time job, care responsibilities, and other life stuff is really hard. It’s ok to fall behind! Please don’t let anxiety or stress lead you to avoid engaging or cause you to feel inadequate.
Do your best, it will be good enough. Ask for help if you need it. We are always happy to support you as best we can.
Accessibility
Please email mandy@darktimesacademy.co.nz with any accessibility needs. We are happy to work together to make this class work for you
Content Warnings
The nature of this topic means that we will occasionally discuss material that includes upsetting topics. We will do our best to warn you ahead of time when this is likely to happen. Please feel free to do what you need to do to protect your well-being.
Your health and mental well-being should always be your first priority and we will always respect that.
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