Global survey reveals trust in scientists maintained
27 Jan 2025
Results from a vast new global survey suggest that trust in scientists remains relatively high across the world.
The TISP Labs study, which encompassed nearly 72,000 people across 68 countries, found that most respondents wanted scientists to be more involved in policymaking.
Research team member, Dr Charlotte Pennington, senior lecturer at Aston University’s psychology school, commented:
“Overall, the study resulted in an optimistic finding – that people generally trust scientists and agree that they should engage more in society and policymaking. Such trust is important because it allows people to make research-informed decisions about their own lives.”
TISP Labs –the Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism Many Labs study – is a collaborative venture involving 241 international researchers led by Dr Viktoria Cologna (Harvard University and ETH Zurich) and Dr Niels Mede (University of Zurich).
The project is one of the largest of its kind to be carried out since the pandemic and includes many countries from the global south previously under-represented. Given that in recent years debate has intensified over issues regarding the perceived reliability of public information services and online sources, its results are likely to be of particular interest.
Researchers scored trust levels on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (very high). Responses showed 78% viewed scientists as qualified, with attributes including honesty and concern about people’s wellbeing scoring 57% and 56% respectively. Globally, 83% believed scientists should be responsible for communicating with people on their subject area.
In addition, there was strong public support for research aimed at public health, energy problems and poverty challenges.
“This research demonstrates that people from all around the globe still have high trust in science and want scientists involved in policymaking. When we face great challenges, such as threats to public health or energy crises, the public recognise the importance that scientists can play and want us involved.
“This is also true of the UK where levels of public trust in science is one of the highest globally,” said Pennington’s Aston colleague and fellow senior lecturer Dr James Reynolds.
More worrying, though and specifically within western countries featured, there was a clear difference in attitude depending upon political beliefs, with those identified as right wing tending to show less trust in scientists.
Also of concern, well under half of global respondents (42%) believed that scientists paid attention to the views of others, suggesting a need to be more obviously receptive to feedback, said the researchers.
Nevertheless, said project co-leader Cologna, the results demonstrated that most people in most countries had relatively high trust in scientists and wanted them to play an active role in society and policymaking.
Concluded Pennington: “This project showcases the importance and power of big team science to answer fundamental questions about human behaviour.
“Overall, the study resulted in an optimistic finding – that people generally trust scientists and agree that they should engage more in society and policymaking. Such trust is important because it allows people to make research-informed decisions about their own lives.”
The research is published in Nature Human Behaviour
Pic: Chokniti Khongchum
