Trust in scientists is generally high around the world, a recent study shows. Viktoria Cologna from ETH Zurich, who led the research, found that most people in many countries have confidence in scientists and want them to be more active in society and politics.
This study, part of the TISP Many Labs initiative, gathered insights from 71,922 people across 68 countries, including lesser-studied regions in the Global South. This is the first time such extensive survey data has been collected since the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing where scientists are trusted the most and how engaged they should be with the public.
The results are telling: on average, respondents rated their trust in scientists at 3.62 out of 5. A large number (78%) view scientists as qualified, 57% see them as honest, and 56% believe they care about people’s well-being. However, there’s a notable gap—only 42% feel that scientists value the opinions of the public.
Niels G. Mede, another researcher from the University of Zurich, noted that many people feel that scientific priorities do not align with their own concerns. He emphasized the need for scientists to be more open to feedback and engage in conversations with the public.
The study also indicated variations in trust levels between different countries and demographics. For example, people with right-wing views in Western countries often trust scientists less than their left-wing counterparts. However, in many places, political beliefs do not significantly influence trust in scientists.
A vast majority—83% of those surveyed—believe that scientists should communicate their findings to the public. Interestingly, only 23% think scientists should stay away from advocating specific policies, while 52% feel they should be more involved in policy-making.
People prioritized research on public health, energy solutions, and poverty reduction. In contrast, developing military technology ranked low on their list of priorities. Many participants feel that science currently emphasizes defense and military advancements more than they would prefer, indicating a disconnect between public interest and scientific focus.
This important research was published in Nature Human Behaviour.
Source: University of Zurich
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