- June 24, 2021
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- March 22, 2025

On June 24, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted the Webinar “In Science we Trust – Public Perception of Science”. This virtual event explored to what degree society trusts science today. The State of Science Index, developed annually by 3M, explores global attitudes towards science. It researches how individuals think and feel about the field and its impact on the world around us, by surveying more than 1000 people in each of the 17 participating countries. Dr Jayshree Seth, Chief Science Advocate at 3M presented us with insights into the background and results of the index.
In the discussion our knowledgeable panel debated the factors that determine the degree of trust people have in science. They contemplated whether our society lost trust in science over the past year, what the reasons behind these contemporary trends are and what measures our society can take today to rebuild trust that may have been lost. With the vaccination process evolving around the world, our perception of science and the role it plays in our daily lives has changed. Our panelists used this opportunity to emphasize the gift of science in our lives and how it can help to shape and better our future as humanity. The world is eager to move past the pandemic and is more willing to listen to scientists. We thank our distinguished panelists Camila Cruz Durlacher, Vice President of EMEA R&D Operations, Aaron F. Mertz, PH.D., Director of the Science and Society Program at the Aspen Institute, and Juri Schnöller, Founder and Managing Director at Cosmonauts & Kings, for a very insightful event! The discussion was moderated by Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner, Executive Director Aspen Institute Germany.