Keynote Address

	Vincent T. Covello
	Communicating Under Fire: Principles and Techniques for Communicating Effectively in High Concern, High Stress, Crisis, and Emotionally Charged Situations
	Monday, July 14, 2003 - 08:30 a.m.

Abstract

In his presentation, Dr. Covello will discuss effective principles, strategies, and techniques for communicating effectively in high concern, high stress, and emotionally charged situations. The presentation will be based on over two decades of university based research. Dr. Covello will offer several examples in his presentation, including anthrax, smallpox, plague, West Nile Virus, and the events following 9/11. He will also incorporate results of recent CDC research projects on smallpox and bio-terrorism in his presentation. The principles that Dr. Covello will describe are applicable to all communication settings involving conflict, stress, change, emotion, and controversy. The three main points that will be covered in the presentation are:

1. There is a large body of scientific research that can help guide public health communicators in crisis or emergency, or high concern situations.
2. The principles for communicating effectively in a high concern situation are radically different from the principles for communicating effectively in a low concern situation.
3. Over 95 percent of the concerns and questions of a high concern
   audience can be predicted and prepared for in advance.

Biographical Sketch

Vincent T. Covello, Ph.D.
29 Washington Square West, Suite 2A
New York, New York 10011
Telephone: 646-654-1679; Fax.: 212-749-3590
E-mail: vincentcovello@ix.netcom.com
Web site: www.centerforriskcommunication.org

Dr. Vincent Covello, founder and Director of the Center for Risk Communication, is a nationally and internationally recognized trainer, researcher, consultant, and expert in crisis, conflict, change, and risk and crisis communications. He has consulted for several hundred government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Covello’s most recent assignments include trainings, workshops, and consultations related to communications about downsizings, reorganizations, product recalls, bio-terrorism, radioactive waste disposal, hazardous waste sites, mining, West Nile virus, mad cow disease, and air quality issues in lower Manhattan.

Over the past twenty-five years, Dr. Covello has held positions in academia and government. Prior to establishing the Center for Risk Communication, he was Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences and Clinical Medicine at Columbia University, Senior Scientist on detail at the White House Council on Environmental Quality in Washington, DC, Study Director at the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences, and Director of the Risk Assessment Program at the National Science Foundation. Dr. Covello is also a consultant to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Covello received his Ph.D. from Columbia University and his B.A. with honors and M.A. from Cambridge University in England. He serves on the editorial board of several journals and is the Past President of the Society for Risk Analysis, a professional association with over 3000 members. Dr. Covello has authored or edited more than 25 books and over 75 published articles.