The non-science of risk science: exploring the power and ethical dimensions of risk study quality

While science and evidence are paramount to the quality of risk studies, there is an increasing recognition that risk studies can be influenced by factors such as conflicts of interest, coercion, organizational hierarchies, funding structures, and many others. Those factors can then influence how the risk study’s integrity is evaluated and also impact the integrity of the risk analysts and the institutions funding the risk study. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between aspects of risk study quality and non-scientific factors, including elements of power and ethics. These aspects, whether intentional or inadvertent, may influence how risk is perceived/understood, communicated, and managed. As an illustration, we examine the taxonomy of power sources in relation to aspects of the risk study and consider how the risk study may impact the balance of power. We argue that the risk analyst has a crucial role in considering these aspects when designing and implementing risk studies. We then demonstrate the taxonomy of this paper using the Boeing 737 Max Crisis, drawing on publicly available reports and news articles. The results of this paper suggest that established risk study quality characteristics can be supplemented by considering aspects of ethics and power. This paper will be of interest to risk analysts, policymakers, and risk communicators.