The present paper introduces a theoretic ontology as a foundation for the research of the relationship between uncertain scientific knowledge and risk communication practice. Risk communication practice is conceptualised from the strategic communication perspective (Hallahan et al., 2008) as an attempt by organisational representatives to influence the meaning of risk. Based on the actor-network theory (Latour, 2005), the attempt to influence the meaning of risk is understood as social action constituted by the relationship between a variety of components such as individuals, organisational rules and scientific knowledge . The main characteristic of the outlined “flat ontology” (ibid.) are the non-hierarchical, contingent relationships between the components of risk communication, where neither of the components dominates nor serves the others entirely. The role of uncertain scientific knowledge depends on its relationship with the other components.
The outlined ontology responds to a call for a more constitutive and less instrumental understanding of risk communication (Horlick-Jones & Farré, 2010). Present research often assumes risk communication and scientific knowledge generally serve functions such as the support of well-informed judgements (Wiedemann, Boerner & Schütz, 2014). This normative theoretical understanding does not always match the diverse and dynamic socio-cultural context of applied communication leading to a “theory-practice gap” (Wardman, 2014). Against this backdrop, the outlined flat ontology sets the ground for a non-instrumental and contextual research, where neither risk communication nor scientific knowledge serve functions or being served, but rather constitute contingent practices and are constituted by diverse components.
References
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Horlick-Jones, T. & Farré, J. (2010). On the communicative constitution of risk objects in mediated times. The Catalan Journal of Communication & Cultural Studies, 2(2), 131–143.
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