Swedes have lost trust in researchers and science over the last decade says an analysis published on 21 March by VA, an independent organisation that promotes dialogue between researchers and the public.
The number of Swedes who say they place a ‘very high trust’ for researchers has slipped from 18 per cent in 2002 to 12 per cent in 2010.
A person’s trust in science is also more influenced by their educational background now than it was ten years ago, the report says. A higher proportion of highly educated respondents (16 per cent) have a very high trust in researchers compared with those with little education (6 per cent).
Women trust scientists less than men, the report also shows. The report compiled the responses to annual surveys in Sweden that were conducted in collaboration with Gothenburg university.