Welcome to the Cornell Risk Communication Research Group (RCRG). The RCRG consists of faculty, students, staff and collaborators who conduct research in the areas of environmental, health, risk and science communication. Our collaborators include representatives from the Departments of Communication, Entomology, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and others.

 

Risk Communication and Public Participation During the Investigation of Cancer Clusters

RCRG members involved: Katherine McComas

Collaborators: John Besley (University of South Carolina) & Craig Trumbo (Colorado State University) *

Description: This project, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, examines the social and psychological circumstances surrounding citizen-initiated cancer cluster investigations in communities nationwide, with an emphasis on two aspects:

1. the effects of government agency communications; and
2. the experiences of citizens and government agency officials participating in public meetings held during these investigations.

"This is a study of risk perception, risk communication, and public participation in risk analysis and decision making. The research focusing public meetings will occur in seven communities."