The Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) is a multidisciplinary and international organization providing an open forum for anyone interested in risk analysis. The concepts of risk have challenged the minds of many of history's greatest mathematicians and scientists. Covello and Mumpower[1] traced the roots of risk analysis back before Greek and Roman times. Yet modern-day risk analysis remains a relatively young field.
In early 1979 Robert B. Cumming recognized the growing need for risk researchers and practitioners to publish their work in a dedicated professional journal. This led to the formation of an organization to support such a journal, with the Certificate of Incorporation for the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) made official on August 28, 1980. The first issue of Risk Analysis: An International Journal appeared in March 1981 and is now published by Wiley-Blackwell Thompson et al.[2] reviewed the history of the SRA's first 25 years, which includes SRA's formation and growth, provides analyses of its major products (the journal, newsletter, conferences, and meetings), and discusses its impact.
SRA broadly defines risk analysis to include risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management, and policy relating to risk. The Society's interests include: risks to human health and the environment, both built and natural; threats from physical, chemical, and biological agents and from a variety of human activities as well as natural events; and risks of concern to individuals, to public and private sector organizations, and to society at various geographic scales.
Today SRA has approximately 2,000 members and holds its annual meeting in early December.