Roser Sala | CIEMAT - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Roser Sala

In this report we present the results of a qualitative study based on recombined focus groups wit... more In this report we present the results of a qualitative study based on recombined focus groups with lay citizens. The main objective is to analyze individuals’ beliefs on urban air pollution and perceived benefits and barriers of some self-protective actions, such as using special masks, avoidance of polluted streets, etc. The analytical framework on which the study is based is the Health Belief Model, whose basic idea is that it is more likely that individuals take actions to protect themselves if they think they are potentially susceptible to a serious threat to your health, if they think adopting certain actions has advantages, and if they think there are no significant barriers for such conduct. A secondary objective is to explore the perception of different existing materials to inform the public about air pollution. The results of the study are intended to contribute to the design of interventions aimed at reducing health impacts of urban air pollution and, specifically, to the...

Prisma Social, 2009

espanolLas actitudes de los individuos ante el cambio climatico y las estrategias de mitigacion y... more espanolLas actitudes de los individuos ante el cambio climatico y las estrategias de mitigacion y adaptacion pueden tener una influencia significativa en el desarrollo de programas politicos asi como en las acciones individuales relacionadas con el consumo energetico. Comprender las oportunidades de implicacion del publico en la politica del cambio climatico se ha convertido en una preocupacion de la sociologia y otras ciencias sociales, asi como de las autoridades publicas y organizaciones privadas. A partir de datos procedentes de grupos de discusion con ciudadanos no expertos, el presente articulo analiza distintas dimensiones de la percepcion publica del cambio climatico tales como el riesgo percibido, las imagenes asociadas, o el sentimiento de eficacia personal ante el cambio climatico. EnglishIndividuals’ attitudes towards climate change and mitigation and adaptation strategies might have a significant influence on the development of political programs as well as on individua...

The purpose of this document is to report about a stakeholder involvement process applied in a sp... more The purpose of this document is to report about a stakeholder involvement process applied in a specific long-lasting NORM contamination site in Spain: the phosphogypsum ponds in Huelva, the most important site with NORM residues in Spain. The objective was to assess stakeholders’ views about the most relevant criteria to be taken into account when deciding about remediation. Previously, a case study on the site was carried out by means of a document analysis, media analysis, and interviews with stakeholders and affected population. This first analysis, which is also reported in the present document, allowed the identification of some important socio-technical uncertainties around the management and remediation of the site. It also allowed the identification of relevant stakeholders’ groups and possible remediation alternatives. We decided to apply a participatory MCDA method in a one-day workshop that took place in Huelva on the 6th of March of 2019. 14 representatives of 5 differen...

This report documents work undertaken in CONCERT subtask 9.3 (TERRITORIES project), more specific... more This report documents work undertaken in CONCERT subtask 9.3 (TERRITORIES project), more specifically the TERRITORIES sub-task 3.4 Socio-economic analysis. It presents two different ways of evaluating remediation options for radioactively contaminated sites. Part 1 presents a Cost-Benefit Analysis framework which is illustrated by application to a Spanish NORM site. Part 2 presents a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis framework which is illustrated by application to a Belgian NORM site.

Revista Internacional De Contaminacion Ambiental, 2015

Communicating to the public about urban air pollution is a complex task. It requires careful cons... more Communicating to the public about urban air pollution is a complex task. It requires careful consideration of the goals and objectives of the communication, the target audience, the type of information and the messages to be conveyed, and the vehicles through which the message will be delivered. This complexity increases when the goal of communication is not only making information about air pollution available to the public, but also to promote socially beneficial changes in the behavior of various social groups. In order to understand in greater depth the challenges of communicating different air pollution issues, we evaluated the public air pollution information services provided by public information services in four Spanish cities, based on interviews with experts and a documentary analysis. We identified the main features in terms of five dimensions (goals of communication, type of information, communication mechanisms, intended audience and intended effects), then we explored...

espanolLa percepcion y comprension publica del cambio climatico y las actitudes hacia las medidas... more espanolLa percepcion y comprension publica del cambio climatico y las actitudes hacia las medidas de mitigacion pueden tener un impacto significativo en el desarrollo de programas politicos y acciones individuales destinadas a hacer frente al cambio climatico. A partir de una encuesta a una muestra representativa de la poblacion espanola, el presente trabajo analiza distintos aspectos de la percepcion publica del cambio climatico, tales como el grado de preocupacion, el conocimiento, las actitudes ante la utilizacion de distintas energias o las creencias ante las posibles soluciones y estrategias de adaptacion al cambio climatico global. Los principales resultados indican que los espanoles perciben el cambio climatico como el principal problema medioambiental del pais, que existe cierto desconocimiento sobre las emisiones de C02 y que, en general, prefieren energias renovables y eficiencia energetica como medidas de mitigacion. EnglishPublic perception and understanding of climate c...

?Que elementos relacionados con el contenido de la informacion, asi como con las caracteristicas ... more ?Que elementos relacionados con el contenido de la informacion, asi como con las caracteristicas del riesgo, determinan la menor o mayor transmision social de la informacion sobre el riesgo? Este articulo analiza la transmision y difusion social de contenidos sobre riesgos medioambientales, tecnologicos y biologicos a traves de las redes sociales. El estudio tiene como objetivo generar una mayor comprension de los mecanismos que provocan que determinados contenidos sobre el riesgo sean mas o menos compartidos en las redes sociales. El estudio se basa en un analisis de contenido cuantitativo a partir de una muestra de noticias de dos periodicos de tirada nacional durante un ano. Se examina el efecto de diferentes variables relacionadas con el tipo de riesgo, asi como con las emociones evocadas por el contenido en la mayor o menor transmision del mismo. Se discuten los resultados con los estudios existentes sobre la amplificacion social del riesgo asi como sobre viralidad de los contenidos y comunicacion interpersonal.

El uso de sensores portatiles para medir la calidad del aire es un enfoque prometedor para la ges... more El uso de sensores portatiles para medir la calidad del aire es un enfoque prometedor para la gestion de la calidad del aire en el ambito urbano, dado su potencial para mejorar la participacion del publico en cuestiones ambientales y fomentar comportamientos saludables. Sin embargo, no todos los proyectos que desarrollan sensores de calidad del aire tienen en cuenta los efectos potenciales del uso de este tipo de sensores en las actitudes y comportamientos de los individuos no expertos. Este estudio explora las experiencias, percepciones, actitudes e intenciones de conducta de 12 participantes que utilizaron un sensor de NO2 en tiempo real durante un periodo de siete dias en el area metropolitana de Barcelona y las compara con 16 participantes de similares caracteristicas que no tuvieron acceso al dispositivo pero si a informacion documental. El diseno de la investigacion se basa en la utilizacion de grupos focales recombinados, que se reunieron al principio y al final de la activid...

The aim of this study is to obtain dimensions from a categorical diagnostic interview. 512 childr... more The aim of this study is to obtain dimensions from a categorical diagnostic interview. 512 children aged 8 to 17 attending public centers for children's mental health and presenting some form of psychological disorder were interviewed with the "Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents" (DICA-IV). Analysis of the principal components indicate that a two-dimensional model (externalizing-internalizing) satisfactorily explain the data collected from the children and their parents. The data from the adolescents are better represented by a three-dimensional model (attention problems-internalizing-antisocial behavior). The factor scales show good internal consistency and significantly relate to other criteria of psychopathology and incapacity (concurrent validity). These results show that it is possible to use DICA-IV to obtain categorical and dimensional indicators simultaneously. The latter are particularly sensitive for measuring changes over the course of disorders.

Introduction: This report presents the results of a study aimed at characterizing public attitude... more Introduction: This report presents the results of a study aimed at characterizing public attitudes towards CCS technologies in Spain and two Spanish regions. Based on survey data from a representative sample of the population, we examine levels of awareness and familiarity with CCS technologies, emotional reactions and beliefs about CCS costs and benefits as well as overall evaluation, acceptance and support to CCS technologies. We also examine the factors influencing public acceptance of the technology. Method: The study is based on a cross-sectional survey with a sample of the general population in Spain (n = 963) and two Spanish regions. The implementation was carried out via an online panel from a market research company. The questionnaire is based on the analytical model of “acceptance of technologies” (Huijts, Molin and Steg, 2012), with elements of the Information Choice Questionnaire and a review of international studies on public perception of CCS. Results: The data show th...

Sustainability

A variety of policy instruments that impose restrictions on traffic are being put in place across... more A variety of policy instruments that impose restrictions on traffic are being put in place across European cities to improve urban air quality. These measures include various schemes such as congestion charges, low emission zones (LEZs) and other traffic calming measures. In this paper, we are interested in the public acceptance of LEZs. Recent studies show high levels of public support for LEZs across Europe. However, specific research on public attitudes towards LEZs is limited. We conducted a self-administered survey (online) among residents in Barcelona, Spain. Based on a previous analytical model, bivariate and path analysis modelling was used to examine the association between key independent variables and acceptance. The results showed that most surveyed residents had a positive attitude towards implementing the LEZ, perceiving this policy instrument as a fair and effective measure to reduce air pollution. Perceived process legitimacy, perceived global impacts and affect had ...

Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management

Radioprotection

Intake of stable iodine intake is considered as an effective countermeasure for reducing the risk... more Intake of stable iodine intake is considered as an effective countermeasure for reducing the risk of thyroid cancer in an eventual release of radioactive iodine following nuclear accident. However, there are a number of value and social uncertainties that are likely to impact on accident management. These include differences in public response as well as decisions made by emergency management actors during an actual incident. In order to explore these sources of uncertainty, this paper explored social uncertainties related to the potential administration of stable iodine. First, public understanding and compliance with the advice of authorities was studied by surveys, showing that less than half of the public knew when iodine tablets should be taken, or understood their protective role. There were also country specific differences in the level of expected compliance with authorities’ advice. Second, social uncertainties were identified through observations of emergency exercises; th...

Fusion Engineering and Design

Abstract Already in the 1990′s, the Fusion Project Evaluation Board recognised the need for socia... more Abstract Already in the 1990′s, the Fusion Project Evaluation Board recognised the need for social research to gain understanding on public opinion towards fusion and on elements that can contribute to build trust among the different actors in the field. The SERF program (Socioeconomic Research on Fusion) was then started. In 2014, public awareness and acceptance of fusion energy was re-confirmed by EURO fusion as crucial, for both sociological research and the fusion community. Given that fusion is not a hot issue among most publics, it is little known and distant from daily life, properly researching public attitudes towards fusion entails important methodological challenges. To address these challenges, this paper uses a combined qualitative- quantitative approach to examine public attitudes towards fusion. Data were collected with open and closed questions included in a survey among Belgian adults (N = 365 respondents who said they had previously heard of fusion energy), using Computer Assisted Personal Interviews. The quantitative analysis showed that the most influential predictors of attitudes towards fusion are the attitudes towards nuclear energy, the attitudes towards science and technology, and the perceived importance of costs and time needed to develop fusion energy. Our qualitative evidence confirms that nuclear fission does play a key role in the sense making about fusion, as a key device to define fusion was its comparison with fission (either as a new, different, nuclear or as a still dangerous nuclear). The results also showed some evidence that a new ‘fusion brand’ emerged spontaneously among the survey participants; respondents who mobilised the new brand referred to fusion as endless and clean energy that could solve our energy problem, and as scientific progress. Based on results, we discuss implications for fusion research and development.

Journal of Radiological Protection

Emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) to radiological or nuclear accidents depend on man... more Emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) to radiological or nuclear accidents depend on many different stakeholder groups: nuclear and radiological regulators and authorities; institutions and ministries concerned by health, environment and consumption; first-line responders including the police, military, firefighters and health workers; as well as local authorities and nuclear industries. Stakeholders also include the general public such as people living near NPPs or affected by previous nuclear or radiological accidents and incidents. Teachers and journalists, bloggers and other social media figures would play a key role in effective dissemination of knowledge and information. NGOs or civil associations/societies can also be involved in radiation monitoring and protection. The present study describes the role of different research institutions (such as CIEMAT , UPM and ISGlobal ) and of the Spanish Society of Radiological Protection (SEPR) in bringing together the above-listed stakeholders in Spain to discuss EP&R and identify benefits and challenges of working together. Stakeholder opinions on EP&R, collected mainly in the framework of several European-funded projects, are provided. Remaining barriers and examples of good practices in radiation protection are discussed, as well as recommendations for improving nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness in Spain. The conclusions may be useful for other countries.

Energy Research & Social Science

Despite each level of the multilevel perspective of sociotechnical transitions reflecting a diffe... more Despite each level of the multilevel perspective of sociotechnical transitions reflecting a different degree of structuration, structuration perspectives have been little used to help explain sociotechnical change and stasis. Here we show how 'strong structuration' can be used to theorise the role of agency in sociotechnical systems in a way that brings together psychological and sociological perspectives. Strong structuration gives weight not only to actors' practices, but also to their experiences. Practices and structures are viewed as mutually influencing, as in Giddens' original conception, but the role of situated, subjective experience is also explicitly acknowledged. Applying this perspective, we show how individual attitudes and beliefs in relation to a niche energy technology are influenced by experience of national economic and innovation policy environments, with in turn implications for expectations of action by self and others. The overall aim is to illustrate a framework that connects individual psychology to practice, with implications for sociotechnical structure. For this purpose we draw on case study data of European R&D stakeholder opinion of stationary hydrogen fuel cell applications for heat and power, focusing particularly on the contrasting situations of the UK, Germany and Spain. 1 Introduction Residential-scale, fuel cell-based, combined heat and power (CHP) units are among the micro-level options for generating lower carbon heat and electricity, particularly where the energy vector is produced using renewable energy. Home fuel cells should have no harmful emissions at the point of use and have reached a commercialisation stage in several countries (e.g. Japan, South Korea and the United States) (Ammermann et al., 2015). Although the technology is expected to remain comparatively expensive in the short and medium term, in the long term, home fuel cells are perceived in some quarters as having mass-market potential-though only if costs can be reduced (ibid). Key among the ways to reduce those costs is production scale-up, but this will require increased demand, which will in turn requires public policy support in terms of, for example, subsidy to reduce the cost of the initial investment (ibid). As for other low carbon energy technologies, where governments make a sustained, public commitment, so does the willingness of other actors to commit increase. In this respect, action follows from shared positive expectations about the prospects for the technology and hence positive prospects for those making some form of investment in that technology. Defining