5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Risk is a category which is deeply shaped by discourse and language. What to expect about the future is to a large degree framed by public discourse communicated through language. This session invites papers which contribute to a better understanding of the discursive and linguistic shaping of risk, our understanding and the reality of risk and uncertainty. This includes the the forces and powerdynamics which are included and utilize risk language for specific purposes as well as the competition to dominate discourses. The session also welcomes contributions which focus on the socio-cultural differences and (historical) dynamics in the discourse semantics of risk and uncertainty. This may relate to the definition of groups or any entities as risky or at risk or the understanding and shaping of social figures such as the expert and so called lay people.