On the process of research leading to breakthroughs in risk and safety science

In this paper, four experienced risk and safety scientists provide some reflections on research in risk and safety science. The shared experience is of the process of research development leading to valuable research findings—and in particular breakthroughs: How was the problem identified and defined, and how were novel features and ideas introduced to address it? Where did the new insights come from? What was the role of collaboration and discussion with other scientists?