Trust in scientists is crucial. It guides our personal choices, influences public health, and helps governments implement effective policies during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
A recent survey of over 71,000 people in 68 countries shows that most individuals trust scientists. Many believe scientists should play a bigger role in society and policymaking. Our findings appear in Nature Human Behaviour.
This research has important implications for how scientists and policymakers can build and sustain trust in their work.
Despite claims of a “trust crisis” in science, our survey indicates high confidence in scientists worldwide. Polls often suggest that most people trust science and view scientists as some of the most trustworthy individuals.
Media reports can sometimes create a misleading narrative around trust in science. For instance, negative portrayals in the news can lead to decreased trust in scientists, especially for those exposed to biased media.
Our study, which includes voices from many underrepresented regions, sought to understand how trust varies. We conducted a comprehensive survey across various countries and gathered data from November 2022 to August 2023.
To measure trust in scientists, we looked at four key areas: competence, benevolence, integrity, and openness.
Overall, the average trust level in scientists globally is 3.62 on a scale from 1 (low trust) to 5 (high trust). People generally see scientists as competent, moderately sincere, and caring, although some feel they are not very open to feedback. Notably, no country showed low trust in scientists.
In Australia, trust in scientists ranks high, just behind countries like Egypt and India. Interestingly, trust varied slightly based on demographics. Generally, women, older individuals, urban residents, and those with higher education levels reported greater trust in scientists. However, political views affected trust levels differently in various countries.
In many Western nations, conservatives tend to trust scientists less than liberals. In Australia, political affiliation had less influence on trust levels, suggesting a more unified view of science compared to North America and parts of Europe.
It’s also noteworthy that people with a strong preference for social inequality showed significantly less trust in scientists.
People expressed a desire for scientists to engage more with society. About 83% of respondents believed scientists should communicate their work to the public, particularly in African nations. Moreover, 66% in Australia think scientists should actively advocate for specific policies.
Globally, many respondents see a disconnect between what scientists prioritize and what they think is important. This gap can affect trust. People rank public health research as the top priority for scientists, followed by solutions for energy issues and poverty reduction. Research related to defense and military technology received the least support.
Our findings suggest there’s no widespread trust crisis in science. Most people worldwide have confidence in scientists and believe they should be involved in policymaking. However, there are areas for improvement, like enhancing openness to feedback and aligning research priorities more closely with public concerns.
Moving forward, scientists should be encouraged to engage in meaningful dialogue with the public and ensure their research aligns with the values and priorities of society.
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