Trust Levels and Engagement
A comprehensive survey across 68 countries involving 71,922 respondents found that the majority of people trust scientists, with a mean trust level of 3.62 on a scale of 5.
There's a strong public desire for scientists to engage more in society and policymaking, with 83% of participants believing scientists should communicate science with the public.
Variations and Expectations
Trust in scientists varies slightly based on demographics, being higher among women, older individuals, and those with more education, with political orientation having less impact on trust levels globally.
Despite the high trust levels, less than half of the respondents feel scientists pay attention to others' views, indicating a gap between public expectations and scientists' perceived openness.