Research stay at University of Virginia for Bjørnar Heide Knudsen (Uni of Stavanger), to develop methods for "society risk level evaluations

The research activity that Bjørnar Heide Knudsen is involved with at the University of Stavanger is called "Risk indicators for the Risk Level of vulnerable aspects of the society". These activities are a continuation of a highly successful research acti vity carried out at the University of Stavanger, namely the project "Trends in Risk Levels of the Norwegian offshore petroleum exploration and production activities". This reseach activity was initiated by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority as a res ponse to the large uncertainty that existed regarding the risk level of these petroleum activities. The University of Stavanger developed a new methodology to understand the risk levels. Based on this methodology, yearly reports are now being published t hat show the level and trend of risk to this sector. The methods have helped the petroleum exploration and production industry to better understand risk, and reduce risk. The University of Stavanger is continually contributing to the development of these methods. This methodology is based on a new, broad perspective on risk. The statistical approach is on recording occurence of near misses and relevant incidents, performance of safety barriers and results from risk analysis. Different incidents categorie s are weighed according to risk potential. Of similar importance is an evaluation of safety culture, motivation, communication and percieved risk. Over the last few years, Bjørnar Heide Knudsen has been heavily involved in this project. It is our goal to build on this success to develop methods to evaluate the risk level and trends for other important aspects of society. The University of Virginia is used as a partner due to their knowlegde and traditions in the field of risk research, and more specifica lly their expertise within critical infrastructure protection, an area that is viewed as important in the development of sound methods to evaluate risk levels and trends.