Public confidence in science will shape the way we address global challenges

Trust is not a “soft” issue, but a practical enabler of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. However, public understanding of technology – and therefore trust – is not keeping pace with innovation.

These insights stem from Elsevier’s Beyond 2030 report, created from interviews with members of the United Nations 10-Member Group on Science, Technology and Innovation.

Public trust is now a critical driver of impact

As societies navigate rapid technological change, trust has become a defining factor in the success of sustainability efforts. However, several of the interviews in the report highlight a shared concern.

• Expectations of science are high, but the public has an uneven understanding of how science works.

• Technologies such as vaccines, clean energy systems or data-driven policy tools can only deliver impact when people trust their safety, reliability and purpose.

• Several interviewees emphasise that without public trust, even well-evidenced solutions struggle to gain acceptance.

This means it’s public engagement and understanding in science that will determine whether scientific advances translate into real-world impact.

Confidence in Research: How Elsevier is supporting the people who advance human progress

Technology is advancing faster than understanding

Troublingly, the report highlights a growing gap between the pace of technological innovation and public understanding. Digitalisation and AI are expanding what science can do, but they also introduce complexity and uncertainty.

Interviewees point to misinformation — amplified by digital platforms — as a key risk to confidence in science. When technologies are introduced without clear explanation of trade-offs and limits, scepticism grows.

Many people also feel disconnected from science in their daily lives, weakening long-term support for mission-driven research.

Watch: How to discuss and communicate different types of research

Trust is built through engagement, not assumption

A consistent insight from the report is that trust cannot be assumed. It must be built through engagement, transparency and dialogue. Interviewees stress the importance of explaining not only the promise of new technologies, but also uncertainty and unintended consequences. Public engagement is also shaping research agendas, reinforcing the shift toward mission-oriented science aligned with societal priorities. Where change in behaviour is required — from energy use to consumption patterns — social science becomes as important as technical innovation.

What researchers and institutions need to do next

The Beyond 2030 report points to several practical steps for strengthening trust as part of the sustainability agenda. For researchers, this means:

• Communicating research findings clearly and accessibly, without oversimplifying uncertainty

• Engaging with public concerns and questions as legitimate inputs, not obstacles

• Recognising that trust is built through openness about evidence, methods and limitations

For institutions and policymakers, it means:

• Investing in science literacy and lifelong education to improve understanding of scientific processes

• Supporting transparent use of data and technology, particularly in AI-enabled systems

• Integrating social science perspectives to better understand behaviour, culture and public perception

Interviewees also emphasise the importance of inclusive engagement. Trust is more fragile where communities feel excluded from decision-making or where technologies reflect only dominant perspectives.

Resources to help strengthen confidence in research

Trust as a foundation for transformation

The Beyond 2030 report makes clear that science remains a powerful force for progress — but only when it is trusted. By prioritising engagement, transparency and understanding, researchers and institutions can help ensure that innovation delivers benefits that are both credible and widely supported.