IIASA at the International Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations against External Events

On October 20, Dmitry Erokhin, Research Scholar at the IIASA Cooperation and Transformative Governance (CAT) Research Group, presented a study titled “Using Google Trends to Analyze Public Sensitivity to Climate-Related Natural Hazards and its Correlation with Nuclear Topics: A Proxy Approach for Societal Impact and Risk Communication” conducted in collaboration with Nadejda Komendantova, Leader of the IIASA CAT Research Group, at the International Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations against External Events – Focus on Climate Change (NIRC–2025), organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  

The presentation focused on using Google Trends to examine how information-seeking behavior around natural hazards (e.g., floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, wildfires) correlates with searches on nuclear topics (e.g., safety, accidents, energy). By systematically analyzing search data across countries and time, the study identifies what topics rise together, the intensity of public attention, and patterns that can inform risk communication during sensitive events.

Reflecting on the conference, Erokhin remarked on the breadth of perspectives and the forward-looking discussions about strengthening the resilience of nuclear installations to external events and the implications for public communication and policy. The event provided a valuable platform to exchange ideas and deepen understanding in an evolving energy and climate context.

To read more on the International Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations against External Events – Focus on Climate Change https://www.iaea.org/events/rni2025