‘Experts in risk? … do they exist?’

Important changes are occurring in the nature of expertise: from the traditional authoritative work of professionals to auditable forms of practice, and the rise of ‘alternative’ forms of expertise rooted in the experience and interests of patients, activists and business. The character of risk issues challenges the authority of both old and new forms of expertise and renders them problematic. The huge expansion of electronic communications drives some of these changes in expertise, and brings opportunities and threats for activities like technology decision-making.