Perspectives on the ‘lens of risk’ interview series: Interviews with Joost van Loon and Ortwin Renn

Abstract

This article is the second of a set which will be published in 2012/2013 in the special issue series Health Care Through the ‘Lens of Risk’. The interviews explore the views of leading social scientists about the study of risk and its societal significance. This particular article shares responses from interviews with two highly influential European social scientists about their approaches to risk. These responses, from Joost van Loon and Ortwin Renn, reflect two somewhat contrasting perspectives towards risk and risk research, although significant areas of common ground and certain compatibilities between their two approaches are also apparent. The complexities and interwovenness of risk considerations, and the challenges these pose to researchers and policy-makers alike, emerge as salient themes.