GoKawiilKing's College London study links public trust in scientists to perceived alignment, not just expertise
A survey of 4,262 UK adults by the Policy Institute at King's College London and Sense about Science found that 63% of respondents trust scientists highly, while only 5% expressed strong distrust. Regression analysis showed that feeling scientists are 'on their side' and perceiving them as open and transparent mattered more to respondents than judgments of scientific expertise or general benevolence toward society.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings suggest trust in science is increasingly shaped by identity and relatability rather than credentials alone, reflecting a broader trend of political polarization affecting institutional trust. This has practical implications for how governments, universities and companies communicate science, especially in contested fields like vaccines, climate and space research where public confidence was found to be weaker.
- 63% of UK adults surveyed trust scientists, while only 5% distrust them strongly.
- Feeling scientists are 'on their side' mattered more to trust than perceptions of their expertise.
- Trust was lower for scientists in vaccine, space and climate fields, and for those working in government or private companies versus academia.
Science Fictions by Stuart Ritchie (book) — This article's finding that openness and transparency matter more than credentials for public trust makes Stuart Ritchie's Science Fictions a perfect follow-up read. It digs into how bias, hype and sloppy practice creep into research, and what reform could look like. A sharp, accessible pick for anyone curious about why trust in scientists is earned rather than assumed.
See Science Fictions by Stuart Ritchie (book) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: nature.com — Simms, 2026-09-11
Published there as: “People trust scientists seen to be 'on their side', UK study find”
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