Science Barometer Switzerland: Trust in Science and Research Remains High

The Swiss population's trust in science and research is high to very high. As the Science Barometer Switzerland 2019 study shows, people in Switzerland have a positive attitude towards science and are keen to receive information about research, with climate and energy considered the most important topics. The Swiss population's trust in science and research remains high, the latest data from the Science Barometer Switzerland 2019 study shows. According to the representative survey study, 56 percent of the Swiss population rate their trust in science as high or very high. The Swiss thus trust science to almost the same extent as in the Science Barometer's previous survey in 2016 (57 percent). "Overall, men trust science slightly more than women do, and younger people's trust is a little higher than that of older people," explains Mike S. Schäfer, professor at UZH, who leads the study together with Julia Metag, professor at the University of Münster. "There is no evidence of any substantial loss of trust in science in our society," says Schäfer. "This also corresponds to findings from comparable studies in other countries." In fact, the trust awarded to researchers at universities is even higher: More than 65 percent of survey participants trust them to a high or very high degree, another result that only marginally differs from 2016. This great trust is accompanied by an overall positive image of scientists. "Survey participants ascribed predominantly positive characteristics to scientists, such as 'qualified', 'experienced' or 'responsible'," says Julia Metag. Positive image of science and research