Bad/good character Does not have/has integrity Does not/Does let others have a say Insincere/Sincere

Biased/Unbiased Inattentive/Attentive to others Does not/Does keep promises Irresponsible/Responsible

Does not think/
Thinks others' needs are important
Does not/Does explain
decisions thoroughly
Inexperienced/Experienced
Does not/Does solve problems
Not conscious/
Conscious of responsibility
Does not stick/sticks to word
Dishonest/Honest
Dishonorable/Honorable
Cannot/Can be counted Does not/Does keep my/others' Does not treat/Treats
on to do what's right interests in mind others with dignity
Not committed/
committed to others
What do we really know about Weak/Strong sense of justice
Cold/Warm
trust in science and scientists? Not influenced/
John C. Besley, Ellis N. Brandt Professor Influence by discussion or feedback
Michigan State University Not knowledgeable/Knowledgeable
Not thorough/Thorough
Poorly/Well Educated

Disreputable/Reputable Unaccomplished/Accomplished

Disrespectful/Respectful
Do/Do not need to keep an eye on
Does not/Does tailor
communication to specific audiences
Disloyal/Loyal
Does not/Does tell whole story
Does not/Does put
others interests first
Does not care/Cares about others
Inexpert/Expert
Does not share/Shares values
Does not/Does improve others' lives
Does not/Does throw weight around
Incapable/Capable
Does not/Does welcome
open discussion or feedback
Does not/Does mislead
Listens poorly/well
Not concerned/Concerned about
others' interests or well/being
Unreliable/Reliable
Does not/Does bend facts
Does not/Does exaggerate
Inaccurate/Accurate
Does/Does not withhold information
Hurts/Does not hurt others
Does not/Does work
for the good of humanity
Impolite/Polite
Unqualified/Qualified
Does not let/
Lets others have influence
Immoral/Moral
Incompetent/Competent
Inconsiderate/Considerate
Inconsistent/Consistent
Unclear/Clear
Unethical/Ethical
Does not/Does take others'
opinions into account
Unintelligent/Intelligent
Unprofessional/Professional
Does not/Does believe
are others' views legitimate
Uninformed/Informed
Unskilled/Skilled
Useless/Useful
Weak/strong principles
Argument 1

People have relatively positive views

about scientists and have for a long time
 In the US, the face-to-face “General Social Survey” (GSS)
The benchmark … has been collecting data about “confidence” in the
Percent
“scientific community” and other groups since 1973.
100
90 % Saying “A great
deal ofMilitary
confidence”
80
Scientific community
70
60 Medicine

50 Education
Scientific community
40 Major companies
30
Education
Press
20
Executive branch of the federal
10 government
0 Congress
1975

1988

2004
1973
1974

1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1983
1984
1986
1987

1989
1990
1991
1993
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002

2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
I am going to name some institutions in this country. As far as the people running
these institutions are concerned, would you say you have a great deal of
confidence, only some confidence, or hardly any confidence at all in them?
The benchmark …
Percent
100
90 % Saying “A great
deal ofMilitary
confidence”
80
Scientific community
70
60 MilitaryMedicine
50 Education
Scientific community
40 Major companies
Medicine
30 Education
Education
Press
20 Major companies
Press Executive branch of the federal
10 Congress
government
0 Congress
1975

1988

2004
1973
1974

1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1983
1984
1986
1987

1989
1990
1991
1993
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002

2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
I am going to name some institutions in this country. As far as the people running
these institutions are concerned, would you say you have a great deal of
confidence, only some confidence, or hardly any confidence at all in them?
The benchmark … by all categories
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50% Only some confidence
40% A great deal of confidence
30%
20%
10% Only some
0% confidence
1984

2016
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1983

1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1993
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014

2018
I am going to name some institutions in this country. As far as the people running
these institutions are concerned, would you say you have a great deal of
confidence, only some confidence, or hardly any confidence at all in them?
The benchmark … by education
100%
90% % Saying “A great
80% deal of confidence”
70% Graduate degree
60% Bachelors degree
50%
40% High school/some college
30%
Less than high school
20%
10%
0%
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1983
1984
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1993
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
I am going to name some institutions in this country. As far as the people running
these institutions are concerned, would you say you have a great deal of
confidence, only some confidence, or hardly any confidence at all in them?
 n = 39,098
The benchmark … by political views (3 categories)
100%
90% % Saying “A great
80%
deal of confidence”

70%
60%
Liberal
50%
40% Moderate
30% Conservative
20%
10%
0%
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1983
1984
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1993
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
I am going to name some institutions in this country. As far as the people running
these institutions are concerned, would you say you have a great deal of
confidence, only some confidence, or hardly any confidence at all in them?
 n = 39,098
The benchmark … by political views (3 categories)
100%
90% % Saying “A great
80%
deal of confidence”

70%
60%
Liberal
50%
40% Moderate
30% Conservative
20%
10%
0%
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1983
1984
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1993
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
I am going to name some institutions in this country. As far as the people running
these institutions are concerned, would you say you have a great deal of
confidence, only some confidence, or hardly any confidence at all in them?
Other
countries:
Germany

Nearly identical
results in 2017

https://www.wissenschaft-im-dialog.de/en/our-projects/science-barometer/science-barometer-2018/
Other
countries:
Germany

Similar data in
2016 report
https://www.wissenschaft-im-dialog.de/en/our-projects/science-barometer/science-barometer-2015/
Other
countries:
Switzerland
Other
countries:
Sweden
Other countries: China
Respondents could
select up to two
occupations that
they saw as the
most prestigious
and that they
would prefer
their children to
become …

http://www.crsp.org.cn/pdf/csi_2018.pdf
Other Countries:
Gallup/Wellcome
Other
Countries:
Gallup/
Wellcome
A problem What do we people really
mean when they say they
have “confidence” or “trust?
Argument 2

It’s not enough just to

look at overall trust
 Our problem

What do people mean when they

say they trust their plumber?
1. They can do the job (ability/competence)
2. They won’t cheat you (integrity)
3. They’re nice/polite (benevolence/warmth)
4. They listen to you (openness/willing to listen)
Erol, Joe the Plumber’s Badass Step Van, via Flickr Creative Commons
 “Being seen as competent but cold
might not seem problematic until one
recalls that communicator
credibility requires not just status and
expertise (competence) but also
trustworthiness (warmth).”
#Scicomm vs. Communicators face limits and
#StratSciComm therefore must make choices …

Time Space Attention

Images via Flickr CCC: MIT OIET ‘Timer’; Lisa Cyr ‘Bored’
#Scicomm vs. Imagine you’re scheduled for a 60
#StratSciComm minute talk or a 600 word article …

Discussion

The science
Researchers'
Competence

Researcher’s Also …
Integrity • How much time and
Researchers' resources for preparation?
Motivation Efficacy of Risks/Benefits
• Should devote resources to
Solutions showing up early/staying late?
• Follow up and Evaluation?
#Scicomm vs. There is a community of practitioners
#StratSciComm desperate for advice about those choices
The US National Science Foundation S&T Survey
(Part of the General Social Survey since 2006)

Public views about scientists:

1983, 1985, 2001, 2012, 2016, 2018
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Scientists help to Scientists work for the Scientists want to Scientists are odd and
solve problems good of humanity make life better for peculiar
the average person

1985 (n = 1,986) 2001 (n = 1,574) 2012 (n = 1,152) 2016 (n = 1,390) 2018 (n = 1,175)
Other Countries:
Gallup/Wellcome
Competence

Benevolence
(academics)

Integrity

Benevolence
(private sector)
 Other Countries:
Gallup/Wellcome
USA
Belgium
 Other Countries:
Gallup/Wellcome
USA
Bulgaria
 Other Countries:
Gallup/Wellcome
USA
France
 Other Countries:
Gallup/Wellcome
USA
Germany
 Other Countries:
Gallup/Wellcome
USA
United Kingdom
Argument 3

General views about scientists are

different than views about scientists
in specific areas
The US National Science Foundation S&T Survey
(Part of the General Social Survey since 2006)

Trust as
willingness to
be vulnerable?
The US National Science Foundation S&T Survey
(Part of the General Social Survey since 2006)

Trust as
competence?
The US National Science Foundation S&T Survey
(Part of the General Social Survey since 2006)

Trust as
integrity?
Benevolence?

Competence?

Integrity?

Integrity?

Integrity?
Benevolence?

Competence?

Integrity?

Integrity?

Integrity?
1. People have relatively positive views about
scientists and have for a long time
2. It’s not enough just to look at overall trust
3. General views about scientists are different
than views about scientists in specific areas
4. Trust in scientists is just one piece of why
people accept or reject scientific arguments
or new technologies