HSE Scientists Reveal What Drives Public Trust in Science
Researchers at HSE ISSEK have analysed the level of trust in scientific knowledge in Russian society and the factors shaping attitudes and perceptions. It was found that trust in science depends more on everyday experience, social expectations, and the perceived promises of science than on objective knowledge. The article has been published in Universe of Russia.
The advancement of science and technology is a key driver of socio-economic progress. Trust in science is essential for the dissemination of knowledge, the acceptance of scientific findings, and support for research. International surveys, including the Wellcome Global Monitor and studies by the Pew Research Center, indicate that trust in science remains relatively high worldwide. However, in times of rapid social and political change—for instance, during a pandemic—new challenges emerge, and levels of trust in science may decline.
Researchers at the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) Ivan Iudin and Valentina Polyakova analysed data from the Monitoring Survey of Innovative Behaviour of the Population, conducted between late 2020 and early 2021, to examine whether overall trust in science differs from trust in specific fields and to identify the factors influencing both.
The survey included more than 6,000 respondents aged 18 to 65, who were asked about their level of trust in scientific institutions in general and in the results obtained within six specific fields of science. According to the survey, 53% of respondents trust universities and 43% trust scientific organisations. Scientific results in medicine inspired the greatest confidence (41%), while the social sciences and humanities ranked lowest, with only 19% of respondents expressing unconditional trust.
In order to clarify the drivers behind these results, the researchers examined four factors underlying trust: perceived motivations of scientists, scientific literacy, perceived promises and reservations about science, and cultural engagement with science.
Perceptions of scientists’ motivations were assessed by asking respondents to rate their agreement with the following statements: 'Scientists help solve challenging problems,' 'Most scientists seek to improve the lives of ordinary people,' and 'Scientists are passionate individuals who work for the benefit of humanity.' Scientific literacy was assessed through a test measuring knowledge of basic school-level scientific facts, understanding of individual phenomena, and familiarity with scientific achievements and procedures. Respondents were asked to identify whether specific statements were true or false, such as: 'The Earth revolves around the Sun,' 'An electron is smaller than an atom,' and 'A laser works by focusing sound waves.'
Perceptions of the promises of science and technology, as well as reservations about them, were assessed based on respondents’ agreement or disagreement with statements such as: 'The development of science and technology brings more benefits than harm,' 'Science and technology make our lives easier and more comfortable,' 'People today place too much importance on scientific and technological achievements, neglecting the spiritual side of life,' and 'Advances in science and technology can have unexpected, dangerous consequences for human health and the environment.'
Cultural engagement with science was measured using the Scientific Information Consumption Index, which reflects how frequently individuals attend cultural and educational events and consume popular scientific content through reading, viewing, or listening.
The findings suggest that people’s trust in science is driven more by social perceptions and attitudes than by their scientific knowledge or engagement with science. Acceptance of positive stereotypes about scientists increases the likelihood of trusting scientific institutions by 5.4 times. When considering specific fields, this effect is strongest for medical and agricultural sciences, where the likelihood of trusting the results increases 8–12 fold. Adopting a scientific worldview increases the likelihood of trusting scientific institutions by 1.7 times but decreases trust in the social and human sciences by a factor of 0.6–0.7. Believing in the promise of science significantly increases trust in both institutions and scientific results, especially in the natural, exact, and engineering sciences, where trust rises by 20 to 26 times. While perceiving risks in science and technology reduces trust in institutions, it actually doubles trust in results for the natural, exact, engineering, and agricultural sciences. Similarly, regular consumption of scientific information slightly lowers trust in institutions (by 0.76 times) but boosts trust in results in the natural and exact sciences (by 1.4 times).
Valentina Polyakova
'Our study demonstrates that, overall, Russians tend to trust scientists and scientific institutions. This trust is grounded in the belief that scientists have good intentions and that scientific advancements lead to improvements in quality of life,' notes Valentina Polyakova.
Ivan Iudin
Ivan Iudin highlights several interesting patterns revealed by the study: 'With age, the likelihood of trusting scientific results decreases across all fields except agricultural sciences, while trust in scientific institutions remains unchanged. Women are generally more likely than men to trust scientific institutions, as well as results in the humanities. Urban residents exhibit higher confidence in institutions and in the results of the natural and exact sciences, engineering, and medical sciences. Conversely, rural residents show greater trust in the results of the social sciences and humanities.'
According to the authors, understanding these patterns can help guide science policy. In the event of a crisis of trust in science, science communication should emphasise the tangible benefits of scientific progress and their relevance to everyday life.
See also:
HSE and Yandex Propose Method to Speed Up Neural Networks for Image Generation
A team of scientists at HSE FCS and Yandex Research has proposed a method that reduces computational costs and accelerates text-to-image generation in diffusion models without compromising quality. These models currently set the standard for text-to-image generation, but their use is limited by high computational loads, the company said in a statement.
HSE Scientists Identify Effective Models for Training Research Personnel for Industry
Experts from the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge have examined industrial PhD programmes across 19 countries worldwide. The analysis shows that the key components of an effective model include co-funding by universities, industry, and government; dual academic supervision; and flexible intellectual property arrangements. The findings have been published in Foresight and STI Governance.
HSE Biologists Identify Factors That Accelerate Breast Cancer Recurrence
Scientists at HSE University have identified a molecular mechanism underlying aggressive breast cancer. They found that the signals supporting tumour growth originate not from the tumour itself but from its microenvironment. The researchers also demonstrated that reduced levels of the IGFBP6 protein in the tumour microenvironment lead to the accumulation of macrophages—immune cells associated with a higher risk of cancer recurrence. These findings already make it possible to assess patient risk more accurately and may, in the future, enable the development of drugs that target cells of the tumour microenvironment. The study has been published in Current Drug Therapy.
HSE University Presents Research Results at AI Conference in Oman
In April 2026, the International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence Applications (ISAA 2026) was held at the University of Nizwa in the Sultanate of Oman. The event was co-organised by HSE University, the University of Nizwa, and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences–Ibri. Researchers from HSE University were among the key speakers at the conference.
Russian Scientists Propose Method to Speed Up Microwave Filter Design
Researchers at HSE MIEM, in collaboration with colleagues from the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI), have implemented a novel approach to designing microwave filters—generative synthesis using machine learning tools. The proposed method reduces the filter development cycle from several days to just a few minutes and in the future could be applied to the design of other microwave electronic devices. The results were presented at the IEEE International Conference '2026 Systems of Signals Generating and Processing in the Field of on Board Communications.'
Scientists Find That Only Technological Innovations Consistently Advance Environmental Sustainability
Renewable energy and labour productivity do not always contribute to environmental sustainability. Technological innovation is the only factor that consistently has a positive effect. This is the conclusion reached by an international team of researchers, including Natalia Veselitskaya, Leading Research Fellow at the HSE ISSEK Foresight Centre. The study has been published in Sustainable Development.
HSE Researchers Train Neural Network to Predict Protein–Protein Interactions More Accurately
Scientists at the AI and Digital Science Institute of the HSE Faculty of Computer Science have developed a model capable of predicting protein–protein interactions with 95% accuracy. GSMFormer-PPI integrates three types of protein data (including information about protein surface properties) to analyse relationships between proteins, rather than simply combining datasets as in previous models. The solution could accelerate the discovery of disease molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. The paper has been published in Scientific Reports.
HSE Scientists Uncover Mechanism Behind Placental Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Preeclampsia
Scientists at HSE University have discovered that in preeclampsia—one of the most severe complications of pregnancy—the placenta remodels its lipid metabolism, reducing its own cholesterol synthesis while increasing cholesterol transfer to the foetus. This compensatory mechanism helps sustain foetal nutrition but accelerates placental deterioration and may lead to preterm birth. The study findings have been published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences.
HSE Experts Reveal Low Accuracy of Technology Forecasts in Transportation
HSE researchers evaluated the accuracy of technology forecasts in the transportation sector over the past 50 years and found that the average accuracy rate does not exceed 25%, with the lowest accuracy observed in aviation and rail transport. According to the scientists, this is due to limitations of the forecasting method and the inherent complexities of the sector. The study findings have been published in Technological Forecasting and Social Change.
Wearable Device Data and Saliva Biomarkers Help Assess Stress Resilience
A team of scientists, including researchers from HSE University, has proposed a method for assessing stress resilience using physiological markers derived from wearable devices and saliva samples. The participants who adapted better to stress showed higher heart rate variability, higher zinc concentrations in saliva, and lower potassium levels. The findings were published in the Journal of Molecular Neuroscience.