Class Risk Management and Communication

The Risk Management and Risk Communication course aims to provide students with the knowledge and competencies required for the analysis, management and communication of natural, environmental and technological risks, including the application of risk assessment methodologies, regulatory frameworks and strategies for prevention, mitigation and resilience. Teaching is based on the review and analysis of scientific publications, as well as case studies and practical exercises, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.

Not applicable

Definition of key concepts. Natural/Environmental Risks Introduction to Natural Risks and Concepts: hazard, vulnerability, exposure, and risk. Geological Hazards: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Landslides. Hydrometeorological Hazards: Floods, Droughts and Desertification, Storms and Hurricanes, Heat Waves and Cold Waves. Marine and Coastal Hazards: Sea-Level, erosion, tsunami Communication of natural hazards. The importance of community participation and integration in risk management. The success of prevention and the need for mitigation. Technological Risks Concepts and types: industrial accidents, equipment failures, cybersecurity. Legal and Regulatory Framework Assessment and Management of Technological Risks. Digital Tools Planning and Resilience: Prevention Strategies, Business Continuity Plans. Case Studies and Practical Exercises Risk Assessment and Management: Methods for Assessing Hazard, Vulnerability, and Risk.

A pedagogical model that integrates: *    Interactive theoretical classes: in-person sessions covering the fundamental concepts of risk, resilience, and management, promoting critical thinking and scientific contextualization. *    Practical exercises using digital tools: use of software for assessing, visualizing, and communicating environmental, climate, and technological risks. *    National and international case studies: analysis of real-world events to apply knowledge in concrete, multidisciplinary scenarios. *        Collaborative work: encouraging active participation, group discussion, and scientific communication, reinforcing cross-cutting and leadership skills. The course ensures the integration of theory and practice, a multidisciplinary approach to the risks addressed, and the development of digital and strategic skills, in alignment with the demands of the environmental sector and the course's learning objectives. Whenever possible, a field trip will be organized.

Center for Chemical Process Safety. (2008). Guidelines for hazard evaluation procedures (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. Davies, T. R., Korup, O., & Clague, J. J. (2021). Geomorphology and Natural Hazards: Understanding Landscape Change for Disaster Mitigation. John Wiley & Sons. Kletz, T. A. (2018). Hazop and Hazan: Identifying and Assessing Process Industry Hazards (4th ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton. Chemical Process Safety: Fundamentals with Applications, 5th edition Lourenço,¿L., & Vieira,¿A. (coords.) (2020). Catástrofes naturais: uma abordagem global [E¿book]. Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra / RISCOS - Associação Portuguesa de Riscos, Prevenção e Segurança. Normas técnicas IEC, ISO e EN aplicáveis à gestão do risco e à gestão do risco tecnológico Rocha, C., Antunes, C., & Catita, C. (2020). Coastal vulnerability assessment due to sea level rise: The case study of the Atlantic coast of mainland Portugal. Water, 12(2), 360. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12020360