Module manager: Yim Ling Siu
Email: Y.L.Siu@Leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
SOEE3112 Environmental Risk: Science, Policy and Management
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Environmental risk is one of the world’s most significant threats, projected to be the leading risk over the next decade. What is it? How can we manage and mitigate the risk? This module provides you a unique combination of training on the physical, social and management aspects of environmental risk to aid decision-making. The module helps you to understand environmental risks starting by examining “what is risk?”. From a scientific perspective, it addresses a frequently asked question “how big is the environmental risk?” by looking into different approaches, methods and tools in assessing risk, including scientific uncertainty. The social dimension of risk (i.e. risk perceptions) is then addressed by exploring social theories of risk to identify the influencing factors. With both scientific and social knowledge of risk, how to manage environmental risks is discussed in terms of strategies and implications. Additionally, principles and good practices of effective communication of environmental risks to diverse audiences (or stakeholders) are discussed. All the discussed topics in this module are demonstrated with empirical examples or case studies. The module finishes with reflections on the future trends of environmental risks in research and professional career development.
The aims and objectives of this module are to:
- Develop understanding of environmental risks, drawing from the concept of risk and studies in the field of Risk Science
- Develop knowledge of approaches (and when applicable, the processes) of environmental risk assessment, perception, communication and management
- Develop practical skills in applying some methods and tools in assessing and calculating risk
- Gain hands-on experience in delivering environmental risk communication to diverse audiences using a real world case
- Develop ability to relate theoretical concepts taught in the module and apply the knowledge and skills to real world situations
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
SSLO1: Gain a broad understanding of the concept of risk and its intrinsic properties and be able to critically analyse and appraise the ways that shapes environmental risk assessment, management and communication.
SSLO2: Develop knowledge of approaches, processes and methods of environmental risk assessment, and be able to critically identify the types and sources of uncertainty in the risk assessment.
SSLO3: Understand people have different risk perceptions and be able to critically evaluate and identify the influencing factors.
SSLO4: Appreciate scientific and social dimensions of risk and be able to critique their usefulness in environmental risk management and decision-making.
SSLO5: Understand the principles and practices in communicating environmental risks, and be able to effectively identify the essential elements in communicating risk to the targeted stakeholders in a crisis.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1: Search for information and apply critical and systems thinking to assess environmental risk events. [Sustainability Skills]
SKLO2: Work collaboratively to produce joint outputs. [Enterprise Skills]
SKLO3: Use active learning to evaluate activities and provide constructive comments and recommendations. [Work Ready Skills]
SKLO4: Undertake independent and applied research and demonstrate critical thinking. [Academic and Work Ready Skills]
SKLO5: Work to organise, produce and communicate outputs in a variety of formats. [Work Ready Skills]
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Practical | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Seminar | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Private study hours | 156 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Q&A sessions held in each lecture and feedback (informal and written) of workshop sessions provide a way for continual monitoring students’ progress and performance throughout the delivery of the module teaching. Lectures and workshop sessions are held weekly (except teaching week6 which is Reading Week).
1 x 2-hr in person drop-in support supervision will be held before each coursework for students to ask questions and/or get feedback on their ideas (i.e. 2 x 2-hr drop in support supervision in total).
Additionally, Question Walls (via Padlet) will be set up in Minerva for use by the students to post their questions before the drop-in support supervision session.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group work | 30 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
- Group presentation coursework (30%): resit will be an alternative format, consisting of an individual written assignment which includes a reflection on collaborative working to demonstrate SKLOs.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team