Historically, women in the United States express less trust in scientific institutions than men. According to a new multi-university study led by the University of Rochester, one potential reason for this gap in trust is women’s persistent underrepresentation in STEM fields.
The research team conducted a survey that asked participants if they would trust the advice of scientists who are similar to them in various ways, including race, gender, educational attainment, and religiosity. Women respondents exhibited greater trust in female scientists than in male scientists. Similar results were found among other populations with a documented historic mistrust in scientific institutions, including African Americans, residents of rural areas, and Americans with lower socioeconomic status – all of whom, along with women, are significantly underrepresented within the STEM workforce. In contrast, respondents from high-trusting groups, such as men and White Americans, were mostly indifferent about scientists’ characteristics.
The authors also found that when respondents viewed scientists as demographically distant from themselves, they were more likely to question whether scientists remain unbiased and if those scientists’ knowledge would benefit people like them.
Based on their findings, the authors believe improving representation in STEM could help mitigate public mistrust in scientific institutions, such as the growing prevalence of vaccine skepticism.
“When it comes to trusting scientists, who is practicing science matters almost as much to Americans as what their science reveals,” said lead author James Druckman of the University of Rochester. He continued, “When people can see themselves in science, they’re more likely to believe in it.”
In addition to those from the University of Rochester, the study authors included scholars from Rutgers University, Gettysburg College, Pew Research Center, Boston College, Northeastern University, Duke University, Harvard University, and Massachusetts General Hospital.