We’re pleased to share that Prof. Joseph Roche and Prof. Mairéad Hurley, School of Education, contributed to an important global study on public trust in scientists. 

The study, published in the leading international journal Nature Human Behaviour, found that the Irish public’s trust in scientists is ahead of global averages. The study also found that “most people in most countries have relatively high trust in scientists”, according to study lead Viktoria Cologna, “and want them to play an active role in society and policymaking”. 

It found that the Irish public has a mean trust level of 3.84 on a scale from 1 to 5. The global figure for trust in scientists was 3.62. As such Ireland is ranked 14 out of 68 with Egypt ranked highest with a mean trust level of 4.3 and Albania ranked lowest with a mean trust level of 3.05.  

The study also found that a strong majority of global participants perceived scientists to be qualified (78%), honest (57%), and concerned about people’s well-being (56%).  

The TISP Many Labs study (Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism) is the largest post-pandemic study on public trust in scientists. It’s a collaborative effort undertaken by an international team of 241 researchers to survey 71,922 people in 68 countries, including many under-researched countries in the ‘Global South’. The sample size was some 500 people for the Irish segment of the study. 

Ireland’s contribution to the study was led by Prof. Joseph Roche and Prof. Mairéad Hurley of the Science & Society Group at Trinity’s School of Education. Professor Joseph Roche, School of Education, explained: 

“We often hear claims that there is a crisis of trust in science. The results of this global survey tell another story. It finds that the Irish public expressed some of the strongest trust in scientists.” 

Participants were questioned on a range of topics including trust in science, definitions of science and scientists, and perceived benefits of science.  

Congratulations to both professors and their team for contributing to this vital study! 

Cover image by Tomski&Polanski Illustration Studio