Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter: Communicating risk in an uncertain world

Описание: Recorded on 24 February 2026 at UCL’s Gustav Tuck Lecture Theatre as part of the UCL200 celebrations.

As part of UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction’s UCL200 event, Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter explores how we communicate risk, uncertainty and evidence in a world that often craves certainty. Drawing on decades of work in statistics, public communication and the UK Statistics Authority, he shows how vague language can mislead, why trustworthiness matters more than 'being trusted,' and how clearer numerical framing can support better public understanding.

Through examples ranging from national risk registers and intelligence assessments to the Covid‑19 vaccine rollout, he illustrates how transparent communication, humility and imagination can help decision‑makers navigate deep uncertainty and prepare for the unexpected.

This lecture formed part of RDR Celebrating UCL200: Communicating risk in an uncertain world, marking 200 years since UCL’s founding.