The programme is for prospective students and parents/ guides. 

Risk Perception: How do we judge security threats?

Risk perception plays a crucial role in how individuals and societies respond to security challenges. People often assess risks not only based on facts and statistics, but also on emotions, experiences and social influences. This means that what feels dangerous is not always what is most dangerous.

During the sample lecture, you will explore why some threats—such as terrorism, pandemics or climate change—receive far more public and political attention than others, even when the actual likelihood of harm differs. You will also examine how policymakers, security experts and the media shape our perception of risk, and why understanding these dynamics is essential for effective crisis management and public communication.

Approaching this topic from the interdisciplinary perspective that defines the Bachelor in Security Studies, you will combine insights from psychology, politics and public administration to understand how risk perception influences decision-making in times of uncertainty. This hands-on introduction offers a glimpse into how Security Studies equips future professionals to analyse complex global issues and develop informed, balanced responses to real-world threats.

After the sample lecture on risk perception, you will participate in an interactive Skills Lab. Here, you will apply the concepts from the lecture by analysing how individuals, organisations, and societies perceive and respond to different security threats. Through practical exercises and group tasks, you will examine real-world cases where perception, rather than facts alone, shaped decision-making and crisis responses.

The Skills Lab also allows you to practise essential academic and professional skills such as critical thinking, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection — all central to the Bachelor in Security Studies. This session gives you a hands-on experience of studying Security Studies, demonstrating how students actively analyse complex global security challenges and develop informed strategies to address them.

• Students from 4th, 5th, and 6th year of pre-university education (vwo) who may have already attended an Open Day, or or were unable to attend and/or wish to further explore the bachelor's programme in Security Studies.
• Students who are not yet fully certain about their study choice or are still undecided between two or three programmes and want to make a decision.

Do you have any questions about this event? Please send an e-mail to: communicatie@fgga.leidenuniv.nl.

Do you have a question about the bachelor's programme Security Studies? Please send an e-mail to securitystudies.info@fgga.leidenuniv.nl.