The study, “Trust in Scientists and Their Role in Society Across 68 Countries,” published in Nature Human Behaviour, provides a critical examination of public trust in scientists. This expansive research, involving 71,922 respondents from 68 countries, challenges prevailing narratives about a global trust crisis in science. The authors—a collaborative group of 241 researchers—delve into demographic, ideological, and country-level factors to assess trust in scientists and its implications for evidence-based policymaking.

Key Findings on Trust Levels

The study reveals that trust in scientists is moderately high globally, with no country demonstrating low overall trust. On a scale where 5 indicates very high trust, the weighted grand mean was 3.62. Respondents largely perceive scientists as competent (mean = 4.02), but perceptions of their integrity (mean = 3.58) and benevolence (mean = 3.55) are somewhat lower. The openness of scientists—a crucial aspect of trust—scores lowest among the measured dimensions (mean = 3.33). These findings underline the multidimensional nature of trust, encompassing perceived competence, benevolence, integrity, and openness.

Regional and Demographic Variations

Contrary to prior studies that suggested lower trust levels in Latin American and African countries, this study found no overarching regional patterns. However, specific countries, such as Russia and some former Soviet republics, exhibited relatively lower trust in scientists. Demographic factors, such as gender, age, education, and political orientation, also influenced trust levels. For instance:

  • Women, older individuals, and those with tertiary education expressed higher trust in scientists.
  • Urban residents and those with higher incomes tended to trust scientists more.
  • Political orientation played a nuanced role; left-leaning individuals and liberals generally exhibited higher trust, while conservatives and those with higher social dominance orientation (SDO) reported lower trust.

The Role of Political and Ideological Factors

The study sheds light on the impact of political and ideological factors on trust in scientists. While right-leaning and conservative political orientations were negatively associated with trust in several European and North American countries, this relationship varied globally. For instance, in some Southeast Asian and African nations, right-leaning individuals reported higher trust levels. The researchers attribute these discrepancies to the influence of political leadership and localized attitudes toward science.

Science-related populism—a belief in the superiority of common sense over scientific expertise—was identified as a significant correlate of lower trust. This reinforces concerns about how populist narratives could undermine the credibility of science in specific contexts.

Normative Perceptions of Scientists’ Role

The study also explores public expectations of scientists’ societal engagement. A majority of respondents (83%) support scientists’ communication with the public, and 79% favor their involvement in policymaking. However, only 25% believe scientists should actively advocate for specific policies. These findings highlight a desire for scientists to play an integrative yet impartial role in addressing societal challenges.

Research Priorities: A Public Perspective

Public expectations of research priorities revealed a significant gap between perceived and desired scientific focus areas. The most prioritized goals included:

  1. Improving public health (mean = 4.49).
  2. Solving energy problems (mean = 4.38).
  3. Reducing poverty (mean = 4.09).

In contrast, respondents believed that science overemphasizes defence and military technology, which was deemed the least desirable focus area (mean = 3.10). Addressing these gaps could bolster public trust and align scientific agendas with societal needs.

Implications for Policymakers and Scientists

The study’s findings carry significant implications for policymakers and the scientific community. Trust in scientists is essential for evidence-based decision-making, particularly during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Societies with high trust in scientists have demonstrated better adherence to public health interventions and greater engagement in climate action.

However, the study warns against complacency. Even a minority’s distrust can have outsized effects on policymaking and public opinion. The researchers emphasize the need for scientists to enhance transparency, communicate their findings effectively, and involve the public in genuine dialogue. Encouraging participatory approaches rather than top-down communication could help build trust and address concerns about the accessibility and openness of science.

Limitations and Future Directions

The authors acknowledge limitations in their methodology, including potential overrepresentation of urban and educated populations in some countries. Language barriers and the Western-centric definition of science might have influenced the results. Future research could explore trust variations across specific scientific disciplines and analyze the characteristics of distrustful minorities.

Conclusion

This comprehensive study refutes the narrative of a widespread crisis in public trust in scientists, instead revealing moderately high trust levels across diverse global contexts. By highlighting the correlates of trust and public expectations of scientific engagement, the study offers actionable insights for fostering stronger relationships between science, society, and policymaking. The authors’ efforts underscore the importance of nuanced, multidimensional approaches to understanding and sustaining public trust in science.

This article is based on “Trust in Scientists and Their Role in Society Across 68 Countries” (Nature Human Behaviour). We acknowledge the authors’ invaluable contribution to understanding global trust dynamics in science and their role in shaping evidence-based policies.

Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh). 
MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management (BITS, Pilani), 
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru). 

Senior Professor and former Head, 
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery. 
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India. 

My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius.  I want to be a person with a bundle of experience. 

My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!My Values:  Creating value for others. 


Reference:

Cologna V, et al. Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries. Nat Hum Behav. 2024. doi:10.1038/s41562-024-02090-5

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