New global survey shows increased confidence in
science; 3M calls for renewed focus on sustainability; STEM equity
and collaboration to help solve the world’s greatest challenges
If the world’s biggest challenges are to be solved, science
will lead the way.
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Trust in science, at 89%, is the highest
it has been since 3M first commissioned the State of Science in
2018. Science appreciation has grown by double-digits, and 92% of
the world is united in believing we should value and follow science
to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Image credit: 3M)
That’s the takeaway from the annual 3M State of Science Index
(SOSI). This year’s survey shows that the image of science is on
the rise, sustainable solutions remain critical, barriers to STEM
and gender/race inequality must be removed, and public/private
partnerships are expected to solve issues that people care most
about.
“As people face the most challenging health crisis in our
lifetime, science is more relevant, more trusted, and more
important to people all over the world,” said Mike Roman, chairman
of the board and chief executive officer, 3M. “Advocating for
science is important to 3M, but it’s bigger than just us. We’re
leaning in with a focus on the things people care most about:
pandemic preparedness, sustainability, social justice, and STEM
equity. The State of Science Index shows that people want and
expect science to make lives better and these are important issues
that are at the heart of 3M’s vision to improve every life.”
Against the backdrop of COVID-19, trust in science and
scientists is the highest it has been in three years since SOSI
first began. Today, 89%* of those surveyed trust science; 86%*
trust scientists; 77% are more likely as a result of the pandemic
to agree that science needs more funding; and more than half (54%*)
agree science is very important to their everyday lives – a
double-digit increase from the pre-pandemic data (44%*). Rounding
out the picture, 92% of global respondents believe actions should
follow science to contain the global pandemic, revealing another
measure of trust in science.
The evolving image of science is a key theme to emerge from
findings of SOSI -- a third party, independently researched study
commissioned by 3M to track attitudes towards science. The latest
SOSI survey was fielded in eleven countries throughout July and
August of 2020, about six months into the global pandemic.
COVID-19 has made people more sensitive to and appreciative
of what science can do
A world that has been increasingly skeptical of science seems to
be waking up to its relevance and importance. In 2020, rising
skepticism reversed for the first time in three years. People who
stated, “I am skeptical of science,” dropped by 7 points to 28%*
during the pandemic this summer, from its high of 35%* last year.
Relatedly, respondents who only believe science that aligns with
their personal beliefs is down six percentage points from when the
question was first asked in 2018.
A renewed trust in science appears to translate into taking
action too: more than half of those surveyed (54%) agree COVID-19
has made them more likely to advocate for science, whereas
pre-pandemic data showed only 20% would stand up for science when
debating its merits with others.
There is good reason to push for science advocacy because the
needle hasn’t moved on everything. Nearly two-thirds (63%) rarely
think about the impact science has on their everyday lives—and
nearly one-third (32%) still believe their lives “wouldn’t be that
different” if science didn’t exist.
Sustainable solutions remain critical: science,
sustainability and social justice
There are negative consequences to a world that does not value
science, according to 82% of those surveyed. When those who agree
were asked about the top negative consequences of concern — topping
the list of concerns is “a higher risk of health issues” (68%) –
which is not surprising in a year dominated by COVID-19. But
sustainability remains an important priority too, with “negative
environmental impact” (67%) cited as the second most concerning
consequence.
Similarly, when asked about issues people most want to solve
for, finding a cure for emerging viruses (such as COVID-19) ranks
at the top (80%), followed by finding a cure for other major
diseases (62%). Outside of healthcare, social justice and the
environment are among the greatest priorities. Social justice/STEM
equity (advocating for racial equality in society and/or ensuring
underrepresented minorities have access to STEM education) is the
top non-health related issue (55%) - and addressing the effects of
climate change is the second (51%).
But, who will the world count on to resolve these problems
people care about in the future? The next generation of scientists,
which must be more diverse and better engaged to truly address
global challenges.
Race and generational barriers to STEM education threaten
future scientific advances
As a result of the pandemic, pro-STEM sentiment is even
stronger: today, 74% are more likely to believe that the world
needs more people pursuing STEM-related careers to benefit society,
while 73% are more likely to believe a strong STEM education is
crucial for students.
Unfortunately, too many people have been discouraged from
pursuing science, especially younger generations; Gen Z respondents
are three times more likely than their boomer counterparts to
report being discouraged as K-12 students from pursuing science
(28% adult Gen Zers, 24% millennials, 15% Gen X and 9% baby
boomers).
The reasons for being discouraged reveal barriers that run deep:
More than one-third of discouraged respondents (36%) say it was due
to a lack of access to science classes in school, 34% were told
they weren’t smart enough, and 27% point to inequalities in gender,
race and/or ethnicity as the problem; in the U.S., this issue is
especially high, at 50%.
“We’ve learned from this year’s study and from previous years
that people want and need science to solve global challenges,” said
Dr. Jayshree Seth, corporate scientist and chief science advocate
at 3M. “It has never been more important to enable bright,
motivated students from all walks of life to reach their full
potential and achieve their dreams through careers in STEM,” Dr.
Seth continued. “Attracting the next generation of scientists
starts with access to education and motivating students to pursue
STEM. The science community – and therefore the world – will only
benefit from a greater diversity of talent across gender, racial
and ethnic lines.”
Businesses and governments have to work together to solve the
issues people care most about
The pandemic has uncovered perceived gaps in science leadership
around the world, but it has also revealed opportunities to make a
difference. A vast majority of survey respondents around the world
believe governments need to lead the way -- 86% say governments
should be more involved in containing the spread of COVID-19. In
the same way, they also look to governments to address challenges
such as affordable healthcare (86%), food safety (86%), improving
air quality (85%), and ocean plastics pollution (84%).
While governments are deemed the single most responsible
organization, a combination of non-government entities emerge as
viable partners (corporations, non-profits, and individual
citizens) to help address challenges like climate change (48%
non-government** vs. 52% government). For racial inequality,
respondents are split 52% non-government** vs. 48% government; and
for equal access to STEM education for underrepresented minority
groups, the split is 38% for non-government** vs. 62% for
government.
Importantly, 53% of respondents believe that, amid major
challenges in 2020, corporations should prioritize collaborating
with governments for solutions to global challenges — second only
to preparing for future pandemics (61%).
3M will host a live media briefing and panel discussion on
Tuesday October 6th at 2.20pm ET, to talk about the State of
Science in 2020, insights behind the findings, and their
implications to society with scientists from 3M; the American
Association for the Advancement of Science; the UNCF; and the
University of Texas at Austin. To register and join the live panel
event, please click here.
For more information about the 2020 SOSI Pre-Pandemic and
Pandemic Pulse survey results, please visit
www.3M.com/scienceindex.
Survey Methodology
3M’s State of Science Index presents two waves of original,
independent and nationally representative (based on census
demographics) research in 2020, both conducted by global research
firm Ipsos through a combination of online and offline
interviews.
Pre-Pandemic Wave: The 2020 Pre-Pandemic Survey was conducted in
14 countries among 1,000 general population adults (18+) in each of
the following countries: Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India,
Japan, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain,
UK and the US. At the 95% confidence level, the margin of error is
+/- 0.83 percentage points at the global, 14-country level and +/-
3.1 percentage points for each individual country.
Pandemic Pulse Wave: The 2020 Pandemic Pulse was conducted among
1,000 general population adults (18+) in 11 of the 14 countries
from the 2020 Pre-Pandemic Survey. Countries excluded from this
pulse include India, Mexico, and South Africa. At the 95%
confidence level, the margin of error is +/- 0.94 points at the
11-country level and +/- 3.1 percentage points for each individual
country.
To compare across all years of SOSI, a 9-country tracking
average was used which has a margin of error of +/- 1.04 percentage
points. Countries within this average include Brazil, Canada,
China, Germany, Japan, Poland, Singapore, UK and the US.
2020 Pre-Pandemic survey results were fielded in August -
October 2019, and 2020 Pandemic Pulse results were fielded in July
- August 2020.
About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives
daily. Our 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the
world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s
problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.
*9-country global tracking average used to compare tracking data
among only countries surveyed within all previous waves of the
study. See full methodology for details.
**Non-government is a combination of those who said individual
citizens, corporations or non-profit organizations are most
responsible to address each issue.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201006005430/en/
Robert Brittain 651 733 7034 rbrittain@mmm.com
3M (NYSE:MMM)
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