Science Barometer: Trust in science and research remains high

The Swiss population's trust in science and research remains high. This is shown by current data from the representative survey study "Science Barometer Switzerland" 2019, in which 56 percent of the Swiss resident population state that their trust in science is "high" or "very high". This is a similar level of trust in science as in the first survey of the Swiss Science Barometer in 2016 - at that time, the figure was 57 percent. "Overall, men trust science a little more than women, and younger people a little more than older people," explains Mike S. Schäfer, professor at UZH, who is leading the study together with Julia Metag, professor at Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster. "This does not show a widespread loss of social trust in science," says Schäfer, "which is also in line with the results of comparable studies in other countries."

Trust in scientists at universities is even higher: almost two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents trust them to a high or very high degree. This, too, differs only slightly from the 2016 results. Associated with this high level of trust is an overall positive image of scientists. "The respondents predominantly assign positive characteristics to scientists, such as 'competent', 'experienced' or 'responsible'," says Julia Metag.

Positive image of science and research

The results of the Science Barometer show that the Swiss have a positive attitude toward science overall. 64 percent believe that scientific research improves their lives. 73 percent of respondents think basic research is necessary, and another 73 percent believe research should be supported by the state.

In addition, the Swiss population wants to be informed about science: For example, 79 percent of respondents believe that scientists should inform the public about their work. 36 percent would like to be involved in a scientific project at some point. However, only 28 percent believe that citizens should have a say in which topics are researched.

Intensify climate and energy research

If the Swiss population has its way, science should conduct research on the topics of climate and energy in particular over the next few years. Second on the list of priorities is research into health and nutrition. This is followed by transport and mobility, immigration and integration, and communication and digitization.

Internet central source of information for scientific topics

According to the latest results, the Swiss population most frequently comes into contact with science and research on the Internet. There, they find out about scientific topics primarily on Wikipedia or on the websites and apps of newspapers and magazines. This confirms that digitization is advancing and also visibly changing the communication of scientific knowledge.

Young people come across science via YouTube

Looking at the Swiss population as a whole, newspapers and magazines as well as Wikipedia are the most important sources of scientific information. For young Swiss people, however, YouTube is the central source: 44 percent of the 15- to 34-year-olds surveyed said they "frequently" or "very frequently" come into contact with science and research via YouTube - more than on any other channel. Among this age group, Facebook and other social networks also play a notable role for contact with scientific topics (30 percent), but messengers such as WhatsApp (9 percent) do not.

Science Barometer Switzerland