The manner in which organisations incorporate evidence into their decision-making processes has been the subject of considerable discussion within the literature. The nature of evidence, and the uncertainty that surrounds its construction, use, and legitimisation, is an issue that remains problematic when dealing with low probability, high consequence events. Of particular interest is the manner in which organisations narrow their 'boundaries of consideration' when dealing with policy decisions and the emergence of hazards. This paper seeks to explore the manner in which organisations incorporate different forms of evidence in the policy making process around 'extreme events' and the role of the precautionary principle for 'high risk' activities.

Keywords: Transparency; Extreme events; Precautionary principle

Biography: Professor Denis-Fischbacher Smith is professor of Risk and Resilience at Glasgow University.