3M Global Survey: Trust in Science Reaches 89%

3M recently released the results of its annual State of Science Index (SOSI). This year’s survey shows that the image of science is on the rise. In fact, trust in science is at 89%, the highest it has been since 3M first commissioned SOSI in 2018.

Other notable results:

• 69% of respondents say science is very important to society in general; this is up 11 points from pre-COVID-19.
• 54% say science is very important in their everyday life; this is up 10 points from pre-COVID-19.
• 82% say there are negative consequences to a world that doesn’t value science.

Two figures demonstrate that more work needs to be done. Sixty-three percent of respondents say they rarely think about the impact of science in their everyday life, and 32 percent believe that their lives wouldn’t be that different if science didn’t exist.

We all know that, every day, the U of M System benefits the people of the state, the nation and the world in countless ways.

University Public Relations has several communications tools to increase the U of M System’s presence by sharing faculty subject matter expertise and research.

Research Briefs help raise visibility of published research from U of M System faculty. Research Briefs have been highly successful in sharing with the public—through the media—how faculty are discovering new knowledge that can change how we all live.

Expert Alerts are used in response to timely or trending topics in the news. Expert Alerts amplify our faculty expertise and are shared with local, state and national journalists as sources for their stories. We know from past experience that journalists find Expert Alerts a valuable resource.

“Talking … with U of M” highlights the expertise of faculty and researchers by way of answering five questions on topics of interest to the public. “Talking ... with U of M” releases are sent to news outlets locally, across the state and, potentially, nationally, with the offer that they can republish or reach out for an interview.

Other communications tools include the Story Sharing Form, direct pitches to journalists and news releases.

If you have any questions or want to explore topics for these communications tools, please contact Brad Robideau at brobidea@umn.edu.

As always, we appreciate our ongoing collaboration and partnership with you.