Sten Hansson, a communications researcher and associate professor at the University of Tartu, was recently awarded a scientific prize along with his colleague Kati Orru for developing a supportive system aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of emergencies. Novaator caught up with Hansson at the university's social sciences institute in Tartu, where he elaborated on the importance of public safety and effective risk communication. Hansson emphasized that not all accidents warrant the label of a crisis, suggesting a need for nuanced understanding in how we categorize emergencies.

In the interview, Hansson expressed gratitude for the recognition from the Estonian Academy of Sciences, noting how it validates the collaborative research efforts he and Orru have engaged in over the past four years. Their published works in international journals focus on enhancing understanding among scholars and practitioners dealing with emergencies worldwide, addressing how human lives and health can be compromised and finding strategies to protect them effectively. This acknowledgment emphasizes the growing importance of research in crisis management and its real-world applications.

Hansson's work contributes to a larger conversation about how societies prepare for and respond to crises. By advocating for a more educated approach to labeling events, he highlights the potential for overreaction in public discourse, which can lead to unnecessary panic or misallocation of resources. The discussion around crisis communication is particularly relevant in a world where misinformation can spread rapidly, highlighting the necessity for effective communication strategies in emergency scenarios.