Understanding, Managing and Communicating Risk ™
We are risk scientists, helping business, civil society, and governments, to better face uncertainty and the unexpected.
Based in Ottawa and Washington D.C., RSI works worldwide to tackle risk in chemical and product safety, public health, food safety and defense, climate change adaptation, agriculture, drug safety, public safety and security, and urban risk and resiliency.
RSI News
In its 2007 report on Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy, the US National Research Council (NRC) highlighted need for more rapid…
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RSI investigators propose fundamental principles of risk decision-making, and explore their application in a range of real-world risk decision-making contexts. These ten principles will provide valuable guidance on addressing current and future risk issues facing civil societies worldwide.
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Using data from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, RSI investigators collaborated on a study showing increased risks of…
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A new initiative by Risk Sciences International
The Global Risk Census is a new public interest initiative conceived by Risk Sciences International. Its goal is to empower people all around the world, to observe local conditions that risk scientists can use to identify risks to people, home, community, country and indeed the entire planet.
Risk
What is risk?
- Is it what we tell children to avoid, before telling them how many die from not wearing seat belts?
- Is risk a scientific discipline like epidemiology, toxicology or clinical science?
- Is risk what good leaders factor into all their decisions?
Perhaps risk is all of the above, as well as anything that leads to harm including loss of life, loss of livelihood, loss of commercial viability, even loss of peace.
Can something be done about risk? Can lives and livelihoods really be influenced, even saved, by experts in risk science working with data, models, theories or even expert opinion?
In the real world, risk is anything and everything that lacks certainty. Every one of us, every parent, every citizen, every company, government or organization lives it every day.
For years, Risk Sciences International has laboured to build the best team, keep their knowledge current, challenge them with demanding projects, and keep them grounded in real-world needs. RSI understands that when dealing with risk, there are consequences to poor choices; RSI staff know this and are constantly reminded of it by the very work they perform.
From day one, the challenge RSI set for itself was to understand risk by employing specialized experts able to deliver solutions across sectors. RSI experts hail from multiple sectors ranging from public health, to urban infrastructure, to simulation and modeling, to communication, and more. The company includes both academics and highly technical staff. Its tools are geared to take on any challenge. Whether the project requires the most advanced algorithms, the most thoughtful risk policy analyses, or the most impactful risk messaging, RSI experts understand what is needed.
Understanding risk, diagnosing, simulating, surveilling... all these are essential, but so too is the ability to accompany a client through the thick of the storm. Beyond understanding, RSI helps manage risk. The company has the operational expertise to guide and work with clients who have no time to waste. The team is both motivated and trained to respond day and night, at a moment's notice. Fortunately, many risk events are not solved by racing against the clock, but because some are, RSI is ready. Whether the project calls for a new risk prevention strategy, a convening of stakeholders, or the development of a technological solution, RSI delivers.
Increasingly, communication is a critical component of a risk response. From the simplest news release to the most complex international campaign or a highly technical communiqué , RSI has the expertise and experience to make a difference. Of note, is RSI's ability to deliver substantive content. Unlike traditional risk communication agencies, RSI's communication experts have the benefit of an in-house scientific team. Using evidence is the foundation of building trust, RSI knows how to gather and use that evidence to advantage.
Understanding
Risk
What does RSI seek to understand about risk, and what tools does it use to do so?
Understanding
What does RSI seek to understand about risk, and what tools does it use to do so?
Understand what?
- Risk factors
- Calculated outcomes
- Best practices
- Basic science
- Global trends
- Stakeholder perspectives
- Alternatives
- Risk goals
Understand using:
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Engineering
- Simulation
- Statistics
- Surveillance
- Environmental assessments
- Experimental studies
- Observational studies
- Psychographic profiles
- Trends analysis
- Risk modeling
Managing
Risk
What are the methods and means RSI uses to better manage risk?
Managing
What are the methods and means RSI uses to better manage and help respond to risk?
RSI uses multiple methods to help manage risk:
- Regulatory guidance and guidelines
- Economic leverage strategies
- Advisory services
- Community-based solutions
- Technological solutions
- Risk-based decision making
- Lifecycle analysis
- Real-time risk assessment and analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- On-site inspections
- Stress testing
- Training
The means to enhance risk management include:
- Alternative assessments
- Socio-economic analyses
- Consideration of uncertainty
- Expert advice
- Consensus strategies
- International collaboration
- Risk management frameworks
- Risk decision principles
- Litigation support
- Emergency response
- Crisis management
Communicating
Risk
What means and multipliers does RSI use to communicate and enhance perception effectively?
Communicating
What means and multipliers does RSI use to communicate and enhance perception effectively?
RSI uses multiple means to enhance risk perception and communication:
- Editors
- Translators
- Design talent
- Production facility
- Perception analysis
- Communications analysis
- Communication strategy development
- Urgent tactical response
- Training
Multipliers help enhance risk communication:
- Engagement platforms
- Local to global campaigns
- Use of both traditional and new media
- Media relations
- Peer and internal relations
Understanding, Managing and Communicating Risk 24/7
Clients seeking ongoing vigilance against risk – beginning with understanding, then managing, and ultimately communicating risk – will benefit from either RSI’s comprehensive or integrated retainer offer.
Understanding, Managing and Communicating Risk 24/7
RSI believes strongly in the added value of building long-term relationships. To this end, RSI has established extended ties with key clients, whereby relevant RSI core services are delivered within the framework agreement of an annual retainer package supplemented, as needed, by individual projects. This annual approach guarantees that RSI is ready-to-respond at a moment’s notice, without the wasted time associated with getting-to-know the client when a project begins.
Combining a retainer with as-needed services is the ultimate form of risk preparedness.
Risk Services
Scientific Advice
Risk Sciences International experts provide independent peer review for scientific research and studies that can lend peace of mind and authority to years of hard work. RSI staff and affiliated experts from around the world have provided peer reviews of corporate risk assessments and scientist productivity for clients who demand the highest standards of...
Risk Assessment
Risk Sciences International has a wealth of experience in risk assessment to enhance public safety, minimize environmental impacts, and promote health and well-being. RSI staff have more than of 100 years of combined experience in human health risk assessment and quantitative microbiological risk assessment. Furthermore, we have...
Risk-Based Decision Making
Risk Sciences International provides clients with the confidence needed to make important decisions. By identifying all relevant evidence, evaluating its quality, and distilling it into a comprehensive, integrated risk assessment, RSI ensures business decisions are evidence-based and rock solid. The assessment provides the foundation for data-informed risk...
Risk Perception and Communication
Risk Sciences International understands the value of communicating risk with confidence and authority. Risk communication involves understanding the perspective, concerns, and values of the intended audience – their perception – and then presenting the right information to project confidence and ensure understanding...
Modelling and Decision Support
Risk Sciences International knows the value of having proven trusted models for ongoing decision-making. Models can save time and money by helping to simplify the synthesis of diverse data sets, specialized scientific knowledge, and complex analysis into something reliable and reusable. Capturing corporate knowledge in reusable risk models...
Software Solutions
Risk Sciences International specializes in creating user-friendly software solutions that can synthesize multiple models and simulations into actionable results and data that lead to effective decision-making. Well-designed software eliminates much of the repetition, data entry, and research required in analysis that can be detrimental to timely decision making.
Training
Risk Sciences International offers training in risk analysis to assist clients in extending their in-house capacity for risk assessment and management, or for those wishing a more sophisticated understanding of the field. Training ranges from short courses and hands-on workshops covering the technical aspects of risk assessment (such as probability...
Program and Process Review
Program and project reviews can be applied to a range of risk management contexts. Though RSI works with many government risk regulators and is very familiar with their regulatory environments, risk analysis and management processes and challenges are common to many types of settings both in business and civil society. RSI approaches risk program and...
Training
Software Solutions
Scientific Advice
Risk-Based Decision Making
Risk Perception and Communication
