Science

How the pandemic changed trust in science — in four charts

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 28/10/2026, 11:50:26 UTC.

Briefings

A Nature study published in October 2026 analyzed public trust in science and its practitioners during the pandemic. The largest analysis of its kind found that trust in science and its people has declined significantly since the crisis began, with the decline accelerating in the second half of the pandemic. The study tracks how public perception shifted from viewing science as a neutral, objective force to seeing it as a partisan tool, particularly affecting trust in government officials and scientists.

Key points

• The largest analysis of its kind reveals the public's changing relationship with science and the people who do it.
• Trust in science and its practitioners has declined significantly since the pandemic began, accelerating in the second half of the crisis.

Context

This study represents the largest analysis of its kind regarding public trust in science and its practitioners during the pandemic. It tracks how public perception shifted from viewing science as a neutral, objective force to seeing it as a partisan tool, particularly affecting trust in government officials and scientists.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a single Nature study published in October 2026. The analysis covers the period from the start of the pandemic to the present, but specific data on pre-pandemic trust levels or long-term post-crisis trends are not provided. The study does not include data from other countries or regions, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

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