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Resources

Guidelines

VERITY Recommendations for Fostering Trust in Science: Science-Society Facilitators

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VERITY

What is this about?

This resource provides recommendations for Science-Society Facilitators—CSOs, advocacy groups, citizen science networks, NGOs, and community advisory boards—on fostering societal trust in science. It highlights challenges such as tokenistic participation, power imbalances, and structural barriers like short-term funding and limited institutional support. The guidance stresses co-creation, inclusivity, and sustained dialogue, along with ethical safeguards and recognition of citizen contributions. By bridging science and society through genuine collaboration, facilitators can strengthen trust and make research more relevant, equitable, and accountable.

Why is this important?

Science-Society Facilitators are essential Stewards of Trust, linking research with diverse communities and ensuring science addresses real societal needs. Yet, engagement efforts often fall short, reduced to tokenistic exercises that meet funding requirements without genuinely empowering citizens. This risks reinforcing perceptions of science as top-down, inaccessible, and detached from public concerns—particularly among historically marginalised groups who may carry negative experiences with scientific or healthcare institutions.

Structural barriers such as short-term funding, limited institutional backing, and rigid project structures further constrain meaningful engagement. Power imbalances within participatory processes, data privacy concerns, and weak inclusion of underrepresented groups undermine credibility. Religious, ideological, or political tensions may complicate coalition-building, while citizen science projects often struggle to extend beyond organised civil society.

The recommendations in this resource are important because they shift engagement from consultation toward true co-creation. By integrating local knowledge, ensuring fair recognition of citizen contributions, and building inclusive platforms for dialogue, facilitators can create sustained, equitable, and responsive models of engagement. Adequate funding, training, and ethical safeguards are critical. Through these practices, facilitators transform science from an elite endeavour into a collaborative, accountable, and trusted societal enterprise rooted in shared values and mutual learning.

For whom is this important?

Civil society organisationsAdvocacy groupsCitizen ScientistsNon-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)Community Advisory Boards

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