Dr. John Besley shares the actionable insights from the Nature global study on trust in scientists

We interview Dr. John C. Besley, Ellis N. Brandt Professor of Public Relations at Michigan State University, about Trust in Scientists and Their Role in Society Across 68 Countries, a global study published in Nature Human Behavior. The study challenges the belief that trust in scientists is declining, showing that while vocal critics exist, most people still value scientific input. Besley notes, “Scientists feel like no one trusts them, but those are the people on TV… professionally questioning things to make certain points.” He emphasizes that trust isn’t just about perception but about demonstrating trustworthiness: “If you want to be trusted, be trustworthy.”

Besley also shares how different stakeholders can apply these findings. Science communicators need to understand what audiences believe about scientists—“Do they think that we know what we’re talking about? Do they think our motives are in the right place?”—to craft more effective messages. Funders should invest in strategies that help scientists define communication goals beyond simply speaking clearly. For policymakers, Besley stresses that “we need to make sure that we’re funding science in a way that enables that science to be useful and used.”

Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science ethnographer. He is a professor of the practice in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University, where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University, respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.