New research has revealed public trust in science is on the rise internationally, despite concerns over the focus of the industries and research science is prioritizing.
Distrust in science, often fueled by issues that include misinformation, political polarization, and a lack of transparency in scientific communication, has remained a persistent debate especially since the rise of social media. However, according to data from a recent study conducted in 68 countries by a Harvard University-based consortium, Transdisciplinary Immersion in Science and Practice (TISP), most people trust science and believe it should play a larger role in society and policymaking.
Led by Dr. Viktoria Cologna and Dr. Niels G. Mede, the study involved 241 researchers from 169 institutions worldwide, including the University of Bath. It surveyed 71,922 respondents, including 2,008 from the UK, making it the largest global dataset on trust in science since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global Rankings of Trust in Scientists
The survey ranked Egypt as the country with the highest public trust in scientists, followed by India, Nigeria, Kenya, and Australia. The UK placed 15th, just behind the United States (12th) but ahead of Canada (17th) and Sweden (20th). At the other end of the spectrum, Albania ranked the lowest at 68th, followed by Kazakhstan (67th), Bolivia (66th), Russia (65th), and Ethiopia (64th).
“The study is the most comprehensive post-pandemic snapshot of trust in scientists, societal expectations of their involvement in society and policymaking, and public views on research priorities,” said Dr. Niels Mede from the University of Zurich, second lead on the study.
Key Findings
The survey found that 78 percent of participants viewed science as highly qualified, 57 percent believed scientific findings were honest, and 56 percent thought science was concerned with public well-being. Additionally, 83 percent of respondents felt scientists should engage with the public, while only 23 percent opposed scientists advocating for specific policies. Over half (52 percent) believed scientists should have a more prominent role in policymaking.
“The UK has a generally high level of trust in science, ranking above many European countries, including Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium,” said Dr. Eleonora Alabrese, an economist from the University of Bath who contributed to the UK data collection, in an email to The Debrief.
“Trust in scientists is higher among women, older individuals, and those with more education,” she added. “Interestingly, a conservative political orientation is linked to lower trust in science in North America and parts of Europe. However, this pattern does not hold globally, suggesting that the political leadership may influence such attitudes in different regions.”
Concerns About Research Priorities
Despite the generally high trust in science, less than half of participants felt scientists adequately consider public views. Many respondents globally expressed concerns that scientific priorities do not reflect everyday needs, such as addressing poverty and public health, but instead focus disproportionately on military research and development.
“A key finding is the discrepancy between what the public believes scientists are focusing on and what they wish to be prioritized. Many perceive an overemphasis on defense technology. Interestingly, higher trust in scientists is associated with a perception that their efforts align more closely with public expectations for public health, energy, and poverty reduction. Conversely, lower trust corresponds with a belief that scientists are overly focused on defense and military technology,” said Dr. Alabrese.
Economic powers such as China, Russia, and the United States play significant roles in funding military research. For instance, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) allocates a substantial portion of its annual budget—exceeding $800 billion—to research and development in areas like aerospace, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense technology.
Bridging the Perception Gap
Dr. Alabrese noted that the gap between public expectations and perceptions regarding defense research priorities varies by demographic and governmental factors. “In addition, the perception gap regarding defense and military technology relates to additional factors,” Alabrese said.
“For example, a closer alignment between expectations and perceptions is observed among right-leaning individuals. Moreover, countries with higher government investment in education (% of GDP) exhibit a smaller perception gap in defense and military priorities, possibly reflecting higher public awareness or engagement with national research goals,” she explained.
Implications for Policymaking
While the survey found trust in science remains generally high, the study warns that even small declines in trust among minority groups could have significant consequences.
“While trust in science remains generally high, even a small decline in trust from a minority could influence how scientific evidence is used in policymaking,” said Alabrese.
“These findings are crucial for scientists and policymakers working to maintain public trust in science.”
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and founder of VOCAB Communications. She hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on The Debrief’s YouTube Channel. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton and at chrissynewton.com.