Part 2: A crisis of trust in science, scientists and institutions: How to overcome the public’s distrust in science?

Core ideas – Content:

• What do we mean by saying Trust in Science 
• Why Trust in science is important
• Which are the factors of causing distrust in science 
• The role of the social practices of the scientific community in order to produce trustworthy scientific knowledge 
• How to deal with uncertainty (science in the making VS established scientific knowledge)

Objectives:

• Understanding the factors of public’s distrust in science 
• Understanding the ideas that should communicate in order to increase public’s trust in science

Brief description: Activity 1 is an introductory activity in order participants to reflect on ongoing socioscientific questions and to consider whether it is possible for non - experts to be aware of all the current socioscientific issues and to make informed decisions about them. Thus, the need to know who, why and how to trust arises.

Brief description: Initially, the participants are asked to read a scientific paper about the aspects of nature of science based on the Family Resemblance Approach which describes the cognitive, epistemic and social aspects of science. In this way, the participants get familiar with a more holistic image of science. Subsequently, they are asked to consider which of the aspects of the nature of science they would discuss with the public in order to increase public's trust in science.

Duration: 1 hour

Recommendation: Read the following paper by giving emphasis on the description of the cognitive – epistemic and social aspects of science:

Brief description: Activity 3 focuses on the role of scientific expertise in order for people to be able to evaluate the source they should trust. Thus, the participants read several cards with experts and they are asked to decide the source – expert they would be based on in order to take action in the context of climate change.

Duration: 30 minutes