The public

We conduct annual attitude surveys to learn how the Swedish public views science, research and researchers.

The attitude surveys are conducted in two different ways:

  • Telephone interviews with a sample of individuals representing the Swedish public aged 16-74, in cooperation with Exquiro market research. (The VA Barometer has been conducted annually since 2002).
  • Postal questionnaires sent to a representative sample of 3,000 Swedish individuals aged 15 and older, in cooperation with the SOM Institute at Gothenburg University. (The Science in Society-survey has been conducted annually since 2002).

 

In the following articles and summaries you will find summarised results from the surveys:

| Av Vetenskap & Allmänhet

VA Barometer 2016: Swedish public’s confidence in medical research falls due to Macchiarini scandal

Press release 6 March 2017

The scandal surrounding the surgeon Paolo Macchiarini has led to a fall in confidence in medical research among one third of the Swedish public, who are familiar with the incidents. However, public confidence in researchers in Sweden in general has increased, although it has also weakened. These are the results of the annual VA Barometer conducted by the Swedish non-profit organisation VA (Public & Science).

Läs vidare

| Av Helen Garrison

Swedes’ trust in research on the rise again

The Swedish public’s trust in researchers at universities is rising. 84 percent say that they have fairly or very high trust, compared with 74 percent in the previous year. Nine out of ten Swedes believe it is important for the public to be involved in research and more than half would like personally to get involved, particularly in health research. These are some of the findings from the annual VA Barometer conducted by Swedish non-profit organisation VA (Public & Science).

Läs vidare

| Av Vetenskap & Allmänhet

Swedes welcome dialogue with scientists

Press release 150701

Most Swedes have a high confidence in scientists. There is also widespread agreement that investment in research leads to a better society for all, according to a new report published by VA (Public & Science) and the SOM Institute at the University of Gothenburg.

Läs vidare

| Av Vetenskap & Allmänhet

Swedes keen to get involved in research

Press release 26 January 2015

Public confidence in scientists is falling in Sweden, especially among Swedish men. There is also a decrease in the number of Swedes who believe that scientific developments are improving their lives. At the same time, one in two Swedes are keen to get involved in research to tackle major societal challenges. These are some of the findings from the latest barometer conducted by Swedish non-profit organisation VA (Public & Science).

Läs vidare

| Av Vetenskap & Allmänhet

New Swedish report looks at links between media reporting of science and public confidence

Press Release 9 December 2014.

For a majority of the Swedish population, the mass media is the most important source of information about research. When public confidence in scientists and research dipped for a couple of years around 2010, the Swedish organisation VA (Public & Science), together with the SOM Institute at the University of Gothenburg, decided to investigate whether the way the media reports science could be one reason for this decline in confidence.

Läs vidare

| Av Vetenskap & Allmänhet

Misconduct and confidence – a media analysis

Does media coverage of research misconduct affect public confidence in science and scientists? This is the question that VA (Public & Science) has been investigating, together with the SOM (Society Opinion Media) Institute at the University of Gothenburg.

Läs vidare

123