
From November 22 to 25, SRA-ANZ members and risk aficionados were “Engaging Risk” at the 2016 annual meeting at Central Queensland University’s Appleton Institute in Adelaide, Australia.
Prior to the conference Anca Hanea ran a workshop exploring some of the ways to quantify uncertainty when using expert opinion. The day concluded with welcome drinks and the launch of Robert Sams’ book, Social Sensemaking. The event provided an opportunity for members to discuss their research and ideas while enjoying some very nice Australian and New Zealand wine.
Our first keynote speaker, David Swain, asked us to consider the growing social divide between farmers and consumers and the role this is playing in the maintenance of food security. We then moved onto a series of talks in the area of environmental risk, covering issues associated with the regulation of GM modified plants, governance and public engagement and confirmation bias in conservation decision-making. After a short break for lunch we were back with a focus on disease.