Communication and understanding of natural hazard risk information

Risk communication and behavior is a growing, cross-disciplinary field that houses a body of knowledge particularly pertinent to weather, water, and climate studies. In the context of natural hazards behavioral social science research has become increasingly important. As a society we are more and more interested in not only the physical dimensions of environmental threats, but also the human response. As a key scientific organization, this research is particularly relevant to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which deals with a variety of natural hazards from tornadoes to harmful algal blooms. To determine our current knowledge base, future direction, and potential applications, NOAA synthesized specific risk communication and behavior research. This assessment compiled the past 15 years of peer-reviewed research focused on the communication of and response to risk information in the context of NOAA hazards, e.g. tornado, tsunami, hurricane. This presentation will describe the progress of research methods and topics through a bibliometric analysis, summarize key findings, and offer guidance on future endeavors.