Author: Jouke Gaastra
-

My Favorite Camping Gear
Talking about gear is always fun. Here is my rundown of the gear I bring on a regular camping trip. DD 3×3 Tarp Great little versatile and affordable tarp. I have a fixed ridgeline on it with prussic knots, allowing me to install it quickly. 3×3 meters is a good size for taking shelter for…
-

Navigating with a Garmin Watch.
Spring has finally arrived on the Norwegian West Coast. And I’m taking full advantage of it. I use my Garmin Fenix 5x to navigate the trails. This is not a luxury; some route markings can be easily missed. Navigating on your phone works well. But I prefer having the route on my watch as well.…
-

How to make a Risk Plot
Introduction In contemporary risk science, risk is seen from a broader perspective than just the likelihood and consequences of potential events. Aven 2013 introduces a new way of looking at risk that incorporates not just the probability and consequences, but also the strength of knowledge about these probabilities and consequences and the possibility of unforeseen…
-

Sauna Sessions
Introduction Ever since I moved to Norway, the sauna has become a big part of my life. It’s more than just relaxing. More and more research shows that saunaing has many health benefits, from increased hypertrophy to preventing dementia (Reeder et al., 2023, Laukkanen et al., 2018) The Right Way to Sauna Every time I’m…
-

Staying Motivated By Setting Defaults
My go-to productivity mantra, “Convenience before discipline,” comes from guru Tim Ferriss. People who get a lot done aren’t necessarily more disciplined; they just have a system making the easy option the right one. Think party snacks: even when not hungry, we grab them because they’re right there. Flip that—prep healthy snacks, ditch the junk.…
-

RIS525 Groupwork Questions
The groupwork questions are likely to be part of the exam. Most questions are answered using four steps (Definitions, Different approaches, Discussion, and Conclusion) as recommended by the lecturer. ”Explain in such a way that your answer can be understood by a student that is not taking this course”. Week 4 Group Work Listen to…
-

Risk Compensation and Studded Tires in Norway; Are Studded Tires Actually Safer?
In this article, we will delve into the safety and behavior aspects related to driving with or without studded tires in winter conditions in Norway. We will pursue the question of whether drivers take more risk when using studded tires. A theory referred to as ‘Risk compensation’. The question we will try to answer is:…
-

RIS525 Risk Assessment, Economic Evaluation and Decisions Lecture summary
In this post, I provide a summary of the RIS525 course. Each lecture is divided into a set of questions. The groupwork questions will also be part of the questions, as these questions form the base for the Exam. First, the question is presented with a concise answer. After this, a more elaborate answer is…
-

RIS660 Research Methods in Risk, Safety, and Security Studies
In this post, I will provide a summary of the RIS660 course. Each lecture is divided into a set of questions. First, the question is presented with a concise answer. After this, a more elaborate answer is given. All the questions and their concise answers are made into flashcards. Flashcards Go to the QUIZLET website…
-

From Voice Notes to Research Proposal: How to Craft Research Topics with Ease
Coming up with a research question can be a challenging process. The fear of not knowing where to start is a common hurdle. In this post, I will describe a creative and enjoyable process to formulate research topics.
-

RIS630 Risk Management, Communication and Policy
In the RIS630 course, students have to write a 4000-word research paper. Using prescribed and self-found literature. I have written a paper about risk communication in annual reports from big companies. I have posted an edited version of this paper here. I chose this topic because it would quickly provide me with a lot of…
-

RIS515 Theories of Risk Perception and Risk Governance
Introduction This is my summary for the RIS515 course. I have structured this course using the Risk Governance framework and the ‘learning aims’ that have been described in the first lecture. Learning aims Compulsory reading The course consists of the following compulsory reading material. For two of these articles, I have made separate summaries. Flashcards…
-

SAM525 Risk, Society and Ethics 2023
Risk, Society and Ethics (SAM525) is a compulsory course for the Msc. programs Risk management and Societal Safety. The course evolves around 48 problem solving questions. The literature that is used in the course is Risk by Deborah Lupton (2013) and The philosophy of social science : an introduction by Martin Hollis (1994).
-

Hiking Hatten in Rogaland
“Hatten” translates to “The Hat,” given its unique shape when seen from certain angles. This short hike packs a punch with its steep ascents and airy sections.
-

Understanding Risk Perception: A Critical Look at Cultural Theory
In the article, Risk Perception and Social Anthropology: Critique of Cultural Theory by Åsa Boholm 1996 Boholm challenges the approach of generalizing risk attitudes based on cultural frameworks. She suggests that individuals’ responses to risk are dynamic, and influenced by changing contexts and social environments. The article pretty much marked the end of using cultural…
-

Article summary: Perception of Risk by Paul Slovic (1987)
IntroductionThe article discusses risk perception and its significance in evaluating hazardous activities and technologies. The research on risk perception aims to assist in risk analysis and policy-making by understanding public responses to hazards and improving the communication of risk information. It emphasizes the importance of comprehending how people think about and respond to risk for…
-

Summary of ‘Risk as Analysis and Risk as Feelings’ by Paul Slovic et al. (2004)”
In this blogpost I will provide a summary and elucidate the scientific concepts described in the paper ‘’Risk as Analysis and Risk as Feelings: Some Thoughts about Affect, Reason, Risk, and Rationality’’ by Paul Slovic, Melissa L. Finucane, Ellen Peters and Donald G. MacGregor (2004).
-

AI Tools for Knowledge Workers: Enhancing Research, Analysis, and Writing
This blog post focuses on leveraging AI to enhance data analysis, streamline workflow management, facilitate efficient research synthesis, and optimize report writing. Exploring specific AI tools, techniques, and applications tailored to social scientists in these domains.
