Swedish survey indicates public scepticism towards science

Public confidence in scientists is falling in Sweden, especially among men, and there is a decrease in the number of Swedes who believe that scientific developments are improving their lives.

These are some of the findings from the latest barometer conducted by the Swedish non-profit organisation VA (Public & Science). The survey also finds that the number of Swedes who have fairly or very high confidence in researchers at universities has dropped from 89% to 78%. The public’s belief in the ability of scientific developments to improve the lives of ordinary people has fallen in this year’s barometer from 88% to 74%. In addition, confidence in researchers at companies has decreased and is now at 55%, compared with 59% last year.

Yet the survey also finds one in two Swedes are keen to get involved in research to tackle major societal challenges, and confidence in technological developments is stable at around 80%.

Commenting, Maria Lindholm, director of research at Vetenskap & Allmänhet, said that public confidence in Sweden was still high compared to other professions, adding that the last two years have produced record figures.

“Compared with other Europeans, Swedes are the ones with the most interest in science and technology,” said Lindholm. “The fact that the majority of Swedes say they are keen to be involved in the research process can be seen as a further indication of this.”

Responsible research and innovation (RRI) is an ambition of Horizon 2020, particularly centring on conducting research to find solutions to major societal problems in consultation with researchers, companies, organisations, the education sector, policy makers and the public. In this year’s VA Barometer, over half of the respondents expressed a willingness to participate in this type of research process.

Interviews for the survey were carried out by market research company Exquiro between 22 September and 5 October 2014. The survey was based on 1,000 telephone interviews with a representative sample of the Swedish population aged 16-74.

The barometer is supported by Forte, the Swedish Research Council and VINNOVA.