Abstract
Researchers and practitioners active in the management of natural and technical risks investsubstantial efforts in mapping information and generating knowledge about hazardous processes as well as related exposure and vulnerabilities. To what extent these ‘facts’ have an influence on the perception and the awareness of risks among the general public is not yet fully understood. Even less clear is the relation between knowledge, risk perception or risk awareness and the willingness of individuals to take precautionary actions and to undertake self-protection measures to reduce risks of loss and damage. This presentation will show examples from Eurac research studies tackling these aspects in various test regions in the Alps. The respective results will be discussed against the background of their relevance for different parts of the risk cycle. Beyond that, challenges and opportunities will be named that are emerging due to recent changes in society and new technologies. Those challenges are related to issues such as migration processes and demographic changes as well as the influence of new information technologies and social media on risk perception and their importance for risk management.