The role he takes up is that of spokesperson and translator: speaking on behalf of the institute, and translating the specialist expertise residing there to public or political contexts (Coutinho 13 May 2008) . There are a number of reasons to do so. First of all, he believes that it is part of his responsibility to carry the risks involved here. Secondly, he is the experienced expert, aware of the intricacies of communication. Thirdly, he enjoys communicating with the media, and this is stimulated by the many successes he has experienced (Coutinho 13 May 2008) . Consequently, he is again a familiar face in the media. As the topics have become far less controversial and political than they were during the 1980s, the contributions to policy and to the public sphere are also more technical (determining risks, developing preparedness plans). This makes him a technical spokesman.