The pandemic, along with the overwhelming chaos and controversies that accompanied it, has significantly contributed to a marked decline in public trust in scientists. According to a survey released on Thursday by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, this erosion of trust may take considerable time to rectify, with levels reaching pre-pandemic confidence still a long way off.
The Pew Research Center surveyed adults across the United States to gauge their confidence in scientists’ ability to “act in the best interests of the public.” While the findings revealed that a significant majority continues to express some level of confidence, categorizing it as either “a great deal” or “a fair amount,” concerns remain about the overall trust level.
Despite a slight increase in public trust over the past year, the data indicates that confidence in the scientific community has yet to recover from its substantial decline experienced during the pandemic. For context, when Pew conducted a similar survey in January 2019, a notable 86% of respondents expressed “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of trust in scientists. This high level of confidence remained stable at 87% during the April 2020 survey, coinciding with the peak of the initial COVID-19 wave in the United States. However, the November 2020 survey marked the beginning of a downward trend, with trust plummeting to a low of 73% by October 2023.
The most recent findings show a promising, albeit modest rise in trust, now recorded at 76%. “We’re calling it a slight uptick,” stated Alec Tyson, associate director at Pew Research Center and lead author of the report. “At least for now, it marks an end to the decline that we saw during the pandemic.”
The survey also highlighted a significant partisan divide regarding public trust in scientists and their involvement in policy-making discussions. Overall, Democrats exhibit a markedly higher level of confidence in scientists compared to their Republican counterparts, who tend to be less supportive of scientists’ roles in policy debates.
Americans rate research scientists quite highly in terms of intelligence and their capacity to solve real-world issues. However, the data reveals that only 65% of respondents perceive them as “honest,” while 47% described scientists as appearing “superior to others.” Furthermore, slightly over a third of participants voiced concerns that scientists fail to adequately “pay attention to the moral values of society.”
“My interpretation of that data suggests there’s room for scientists to better connect with the everyday challenges people face in their lives,” Tyson commented.
The survey emerges during a time of uncertainty for scientific organizations and government agencies as President-elect Donald Trump begins to form his administration. Notably, initial budget proposals during Trump’s first term had called for substantial cuts to scientific research funding, although bipartisan support for science has emerged in Congress.
The partisan division regarding trust in scientists intensified dramatically between the surveys conducted in April 2020 and December 2021. Among Republicans and independents who lean Republican, confidence in scientists dropped from 85% to just 63%. In the intervening months and beyond, the pandemic fueled numerous controversies surrounding scientific research, compounded by the spread of misinformation and political agendas. Social media platforms became battlegrounds for vigorous and heated debates on topics such as school closures, social distancing measures, potential treatments for COVID-19, the effectiveness of masks, and the origins of the virus.
Prominent scientists, including Anthony S. Fauci, who became the leading voice for scientific guidance during the pandemic, faced intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers during contentious congressional hearings. Public health officials nationwide suffered from severe public backlash as well.
“What occurred was a sustained attack on a sector of science,” remarked Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. In the most recent survey, however, a 5% increase in Republican confidence in scientists was noted by Tyson, indicating a possible shift. Furthermore, Democrats showed a notable change in attitudes since 2021, expressing decreased confidence in scientists.
Science is not alone in facing an erosion of trust among the public. Numerous surveys indicate a significant decline in trust toward federal government institutions, the Supreme Court, political parties, business leaders, and even the news media. “Overall, we’re observing a decline in trust across various institutions,” Jamieson emphasized. “Yet trust in and confidence in science still stand stronger in comparison to these other sectors.”
Nevertheless, scientists have made notable mistakes during the pandemic, such as overselling the vaccines’ ability to prevent COVID-19 infections. “People were assured that taking the vaccine would resolve everything,” she noted.
Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences, recalls early 2020 when a reporter asked her to predict the outcome of the spreading pandemic. Her optimistic assertion was, “This will be science’s finest hour. Science is going to come up with a vaccine to save us all.” The anticipated vaccines did materialize, yet paradoxically, trust in science declined.
“Every scientist I know would have loved to see a massive rebound” in trust in science, McNutt expressed, referring to the recent Pew findings. “However, this situation presents us with a critical opportunity to reflect on the necessary steps to restore trust in science.”
What impact has the decline in public trust in scientists had on scientific communication and policy-making?
**Interview with Alec Tyson, Associate Director at Pew Research Center**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Alec. The recent Pew Research Center survey indicates a significant decline in public trust in scientists since the pandemic. Can you expand on what this erosion of trust means for the scientific community?
**Alec Tyson:** Thank you for having me. What we’re seeing is a marked decline in the confidence Americans have in scientists, especially compared to pre-pandemic levels. During the pandemic, while overall trust peaked in early 2020, it became polarized as misinformation spread, which deeply impacted how different political groups perceive scientific authority. Now, while we’ve observed a slight uptick to 76%, the journey to regain pre-pandemic trust is still a long road ahead.
**Editor:** You mentioned the political divide in trust levels. How significant is this divide between Democrats and Republicans?
**Alec Tyson:** The divide is substantial. Democrats generally exhibit a much higher level of trust in scientists, while Republicans have become increasingly skeptical. For instance, trust among Republicans dropped significantly from 85% in April 2020 to just 63% by December 2021. This reflects not only on the pandemic but also on broader issues related to science and policy-making.
**Editor:** Your survey revealed that 65% of respondents perceive scientists as “honest.” What does this low level of perceived honesty suggest about public sentiment towards scientific authorities?
**Alec Tyson:** It suggests that there’s a disconnect between scientists and the public. While many Americans still recognize scientists’ intelligence and problem-solving capabilities, a significant portion views them as not sufficiently attuned to societal moral values. This could indicate that scientists need to work harder to engage with everyday issues that matter to people and to communicate effectively about their work.
**Editor:** Given the challenges posed during the pandemic—especially the scrutiny faced by figures like Dr. Fauci—what can scientific organizations do to regain trust?
**Alec Tyson:** It’s crucial for scientists and organizations to focus on transparency and open communication. Addressing concerns directly and engaging in a more public dialogue about research, its implications, and how it relates to everyday life can help bridge this gap. Additionally, combating misinformation and fostering strong, bipartisan support for science is essential as we move forward.
**Editor:** Lastly, what does the future look like for public trust in scientists? Are there steps that can be taken to enhance confidence moving forward?
**Alec Tyson:** While we have witnessed a small improvement recently, regaining lost trust will take time and consistent effort. It’s important for scientists to actively involve themselves in policy discussions and community engagement. The public needs to see scientists not just as researchers but as integral components of their communities who care about the same issues they do. This relational aspect can ultimately nurture better trust in the scientific community.
**Editor:** Thank you, Alec, for your insights into this critical issue. It’s vital for everyone to stay engaged as we work towards restoring public confidence in science.
**Alec Tyson:** Thank you for the conversation. It’s a crucial topic that deserves ongoing attention.
