Risk Management or Uncertainty Governance? The Challenge of an Interdiscplinary Approach

Peer-reviewed

The governance of risk has become an increasingly'hot subject'as recent technologicalcontroversies have ignited significant levels ofpublic alarm in a wide range of diverse arenas indistinct geographical locations. Recent controversies have led to the very questioning ofmore traditional forms of risk management as technical and scientific expertise is increasinglyquestioned by the public as regards its ability tomanage contemporary risks adequately. Despite the existence of a wide range of literature discussing various elements of risk management the assumptions embedded within this literature are that risks can essentially be prevented, controlled and managed with the accumulation of scientific knowledge. Contemporary risks however can be characterized by the lack of scientific knowledge regarding a) the elements that constitute these risks and b) their very existence. The relationship between science and society, experts and laypeople, technocrats and citizens needs to be redefined to reflect this new reality of 'uncertainty'.