Knowledge Zurich study sees no crisis of confidence in science
Trust in science remains high worldwide. This was revealed by a survey of around 72,000 people in 68 countries conducted by researchers at the University of Zurich and published on Monday in the journal "Nature Human Behavior".
20.01.2025, 11:00
SDA
A majority of respondents consider science to be qualified (78%), honest (57%) and concerned about the well-being of society (56%). "This result calls into question the theory of a 'crisis of confidence' in science," said study author Viktoria Cologna in a press release on the study by the University of Zurich (UZH).
According to UZH, the survey, which involved over 240 scientists, provides the first representative global survey data on global trust in science since the coronavirus pandemic.
Switzerland in the lower midfield
According to the study, Switzerland ranks in the lower midfield internationally in terms of trust in science. In 46 of the 68 countries surveyed, public trust in science is higher than in Switzerland, particularly in many northern European and African countries.
Nevertheless, a majority of respondents in Switzerland (55%) also stated that researchers should be more involved in political decision-making processes. 20 percent of Swiss respondents disagreed with this statement.
According to the survey, high priority should be given to research on health, energy and poverty reduction. In contrast, the respondents believe that science attaches too much importance to armaments research.
