Risk communication at University campus

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to report the preliminary results of an experiment conducted at Faculty of Letters of Lisbon University (FLUL), from May to July 2014, on risk perception, with a 20% users’ sample. Mental maps and spatial awareness in a hypothetical earthquake and fire were the source of the research. Preliminary results show that the FLUL users are young, mostly students that are familiar with the building for less than 4 years. They know what to do if a fire occurs, however further educational activities should be provided regarding earthquake’s safety because they do not know what to do if an earthquake occurs. In general the users are not aware of any safety equipment (fire-extinguishers, exit signs and emergency doors), do not know where the meeting point is located and as well the location of their workplace. For these reasons more effective ways of communicating the risk should be attempted.