Communication role on perception and beliefs of EU citizens about science - policy brief

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Communication role on perception and beliefs of EU citizens about science - policy brief

Related Initiative

CONCISE

What is this about?

The CONCISE policy brief is part of an EU-funded effort under Horizon 2020 to study how science communication affects public beliefs, perceptions, and knowledge across Europe. The project conducted public consultations in five countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Slovakia, Poland), engaging nearly 500 citizens. Participants discussed four controversial and socially relevant scientific-issues vaccines, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), climate change, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to reveal how people receive and trust science information, what media or channels they use (traditional media, social media, personal networks), and what they expect from science communication. The brief summarises findings on preferred information sources, trust levels, and how citizens perceive scientific information. It concludes with recommendations to improve science communication for policymakers, institutions, and communicators aiming to foster more reliable, inclusive, and effective dissemination of science across Europe.

Why is this important?

The brief is important because it provides robust, empirical insight into how citizens across different European countries consume and perceive science and science-related controversies. By documenting real attitudes toward hot-button issues (vaccines, climate change, GMOs, CAM), it reveals the social and communication dynamics that shape public understanding of science. As misinformation and distrust grow, this kind of evidence is critical to designing communication strategies that genuinely work. The recommendations help guide policymakers, scientists, media and institutions to communicate in ways that build trust, transparency, and public engagement essential for democratic decision-making on science and societal issues.

For whom is this important?

Policymakers and public authoritiesScientists, researchers and academic institutionsScience communicators, journalists and media organisationsCivil society organisations and NGOsThe general public / citizens

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