Making sense of uncertainty and precaution: The example of mobile telecommunications

Julie Barnett; Lada Timotijevic

doi:10.1057/9780230591288_5

Making sense of uncertainty and precaution: The example of mobile telecommunications

Julie Barnett
, Lada Timotijevic

University of Surrey

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter

2 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The aims of this chapter are two-fold. Firstly, it aims to provide an introduction to research on public understandings of uncertainty and precaution. Secondly, it presents an analysis of focus group data collected in the context of the precautionary stance of the UK government to the possible health risks of mobile telecommunications. We note that there is often a lack of correspondence between uncertainty and concern. People are familiar with, and often accepting of the notion of uncertain science. Uncertainties that are inferred from seemingly unresponsive institutional structures are more disconcerting.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Risk and the Public Acceptance of New Technologies
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Chapter	5
Pages	86-106
Number of pages	21
ISBN (Electronic)	9780230591288
ISBN (Print)	9780230517059
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230591288_5
Publication status	Published - 22 Aug 2007

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Focus Group
Mobile Phone
Risk Perception
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Risk Communication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences
General Environmental Science

Access to Document

10.1057/9780230591288_5

Cite this

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AB - The aims of this chapter are two-fold. Firstly, it aims to provide an introduction to research on public understandings of uncertainty and precaution. Secondly, it presents an analysis of focus group data collected in the context of the precautionary stance of the UK government to the possible health risks of mobile telecommunications. We note that there is often a lack of correspondence between uncertainty and concern. People are familiar with, and often accepting of the notion of uncertain science. Uncertainties that are inferred from seemingly unresponsive institutional structures are more disconcerting.

KW - Focus Group

KW - Mobile Phone

KW - Risk Perception

KW - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

KW - Risk Communication

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84996430927

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BT - Risk and the Public Acceptance of New Technologies

PB - Palgrave Macmillan

ER -

Making sense of uncertainty and precaution: The example of mobile telecommunications

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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