Coventry University

About: Coventry University is a education organization based out in Coventry, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Higher education. The organization has 4964 authors who have published 12700 publications receiving 255898 citations. The organization is also known as: Lanchester Polytechnic & Coventry Polytechnic.

Perceptions of risk: A review of the effects of individual and community-level variables on perceptions of risk

Abstract: This review consolidates the research on perceptions of risk and its antecedents to improve our understanding of the factors that influence perceptions of risk. The evidence is evaluated against the available models, theories and explanations. Online databases, relevant journals and books were searched using keywords resulting in a total of 30 papers being included in this review. It was found that the literature provided support for previous victimization, experienced both directly and vicariously, gender, race, income, perceptions of crime rates and incivilities, having a consistent effect on perceptions of risk of criminal victimization. Perceived risk was shown to have a strong influence on fear of crime, and the relationship was also found by one study to be reciprocal (Rader et al., 2007). The risk interpretation model (Ferraro, 1995) was supported by the literature but is still in need of continuing development in light of new research. The findings could be used to help reduce risk perception to a level more in line with actual risk and thus reduce fear of crime and in turn increase quality of life. Language: en

The region in food—important or irrelevant?

Abstract: There has been an explosion of interest in 're-localized' and 're-connected' modes of food provision, which could provide solutions to the socio-economic and environmental problems associated with food production and consumption. Within this context, this paper aims to critically review the significance of the 'region' for debates about future food systems. It identifies three cross-cutting impulses towards the (re)-regionalization of food: re-scaling, re-spacing and re-connection, but stresses that the ways these are played out is contingent on the interplay of diverse social, political and bio-physical processes. The paper concludes by proposing several further research agendas to develop a more rigorous understanding of the potential for regional food networks to address growing demands for the sustainable and fair provision of food. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.