The work produced by Aotearoa's scientists is largely trusted by New Zealander, says new research. File photo. Photo: Nick Monro / RNZ
Aotearoa ranks ninth in the world for trusting scientists, according to a new study.
The international study- published in Nature Human Behaviour - surveyed more than 70,000 people across 68 countries, including 2000 New Zealanders.
The results reveal that trust in scientists is high globally, with an average trust level of 3.62 on a scale from 1 (very low trust) to 5 (very high trust).
"These findings confirm that the New Zealand public trusts scientists and believes scientists should work with politicians to inform policymaking, which aligns with the current government's commitment to evidence-based decisions," said NZ co-author Prof Taciano Milfont from the University of Waikato.
Respondents in Albania, Kazakhstan and Bolivia had the lowest levels of trust, while Egypt had the highest level of trust globally, followed by India and Nigeria.
In New Zealand, the mean trust level was 3.88, placing the country ninth overall and behind Australia, with placed fifth with a 3.91 score.
Australian and NZ respondents, along with those from the United States, United Kingdom and China, had higher-than-average trust in scientists, whereas respondents in Germany, Hong Kong and Japan had lower-than-average trust.
"This is the largest global study conducted on trust in science since the Covid-19 Pandemic," said co-author Gina Grimshaw from Victoria University of Wellington.
"The pandemic brought scientific information - and misinformation - into our daily lives as it had not been before. Many of the issues it raised, such as health behaviours, isolation, and vaccination became contentious issues. Despite some very vocal criticisms of science and science-led policies during the pandemic, trust in the broader population remains high".
The study also asked New Zealanders about the role scientists should play in society and politics.
It found that 79 percent of New Zealand respondents agreed that scientists need to communicate their work to the public. 62 percent agreed that scientists should work closely with policymakers to integrate scientific findings into decision-making.
"Science communication tends to be more effective when scientists engage in meaningful dialogue and discussion with the communities they work alongside," said co-author Laura Kranz from the School of Science in Society at Victoria University of Wellington.
"Scientists should seek to not simply just share their findings, but actively listen and be responsive to the voices and views of New Zealanders," she said.
People were also asked about the goals science should priortise and most New Zealanders agreed research should focus on improving public health (84 percent), solving energy challenges (76 percent), and reducing poverty (66 percent).
"These results show the New Zealand public expects scientists to focus on tackling the big challenges that affect society"
"It is important not only for scientists to hear this, but also for the wider science system-including those who make decisions about which scientific research gets prioritised and funded." said Dr John Kerr from the University of Otago.
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