How can scientists make the most of public trust?

People around the world have a high level of trust in scientists, but are concerned about government interference in research. These are among the findings reported in the Trust Barometer by global telecommunications giant Edelman. The latest iteration of the study surveyed more than 32,000 people in 28 countries, from Mexico to Japan (see go.nature.com/4bgsipa). .

The report, released in mid-January, spotlights public trust in science and innovation. This comes after a turbulent few years dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of climate change, declining living standards, and increasing global instability. It comes as we grapple with new challenges brought about by innovations such as the explosive rise of AI. .

Scientists are among the people survey respondents most trust to tell the truth about innovation and new technology, with 74% of respondents saying they trust scientists to tell the truth . A similar proportion said they wanted to see innovation led by scientists. By comparison, only 47% of respondents said they trust journalists to tell the truth about innovation, and 45% trust government leaders.

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However, the survey also suggests growing challenges for scientists and governments alike, with 53% of respondents citing interference in science by politicians and politicization of their country’s science. The answer was yes. Globally, around 59% say governments and research funders have too much influence over how science is done, with this number rising to 70% and 75% in India and China, respectively. And almost 60% of all respondents believe that governments lack the ability to regulate new innovations.

The findings suggest both opportunities and challenges for scientists. How can researchers increase public trust in researchers to increase the likelihood that government policies and decisions are evidence-based, while addressing public concerns about lack of trust in government intervention and regulatory processes? Can it be used for?

The report is certainly timely. Governments around the world have long relied on science and innovation to boost their economies, but the pandemic has added to the sense of crisis. Approaches being tried include concentrating universities in cities in hopes of creating the next Amazon or Google. Policies that encourage entrepreneurial ideas among faculty and students. Ready-to-use funds at every stage of your business idea. Additionally, relatively light regulations allow products to reach consumers quickly.

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The latest proposals were submitted last week by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, an influential policy research think tank founded in London by the former British prime minister. Its report on innovations in the biological sciences proposes a much larger role for AI in medicine and clinical practice (see go.nature.com/3ugt3gh). To this end, the institute is calling on the UK government to reform the regulatory structure governing how researchers and companies access anonymised patient data. But if the Edelman report is correct and people are concerned about government interference with science and poor regulatory capacity, then we need to find a way to turn the situation around.

In this context, social science is an invaluable but underutilized tool. In January, a report from the British Academy of Social Sciences rightly reminded governments of the need to incorporate social science into science, technology, engineering and mathematics policy-making as one way to boost public trust (go. see nature.com/4bioq0i). Data scientists, economists, ethicists, legal scholars, and sociologists are adept at studying the strengths and limitations of new technologies, different economic and regulatory models, and communicating their results with all the attendant uncertainties. I am a social scientist.

If people think science is politicized and the government interferes too much with research, that’s a problem not just for science but for society as well. This is because it can affect public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver the benefits of science and innovation. At the same time, it protects people from harm.

Scientists should make the most of the public’s trust as a source of information about innovation. And we should work with governments to discourage the over-politicization of science. Governments have an equal role to play in this regard.and Nature I hope they listen.