Compare the lenses
Use this tool to compare the four lenses of trust across relevant countries, idenitfy which lense is most relevant to your work and plan how to take it into account in your project.
COUNTRIES
RELIGION
SOCIETAL INSTITUTIONS
BENEFITS
FUTURE ECONOMIES
Where might people turn when there is a difference of opinion between religion and science?
Religion and traditions co-exist across the world. In case of disagreement between the two belief systems — people switch sides — plunging the cultural authority of science.
Use this lens to help estimate the probability of a “plunge” in the authority of science, which could take place in a country when people are faced with factors such as unfamiliar science, controversies or epidemics.
How much or how little are different societal groups in a country trusted, and does this affect trust in scientists?
Negative experiences with the state, non-profits, journalists, neighbours, doctors and nurses may color the perception of science and scientists.
Use this lens to understand how much or how little are the different societal groups in a country trusted, and whether this affects trust in scientists.
How far removed might people feel they are from the benefits of science?
Some countries and regions experience lower reliability to the benefits of science and may feel personally excluded. This experience is correlated with distrust in science.
Use this lens to understand how people feel about the distribution of the benefits of science to themselves and others, and how far away from science they feel as a result.
How much do people trust scientists today and how bullish are they about science’s impact on their future?
As economies evolve, they become more likely to trust scientists to provide accurate information and also more skeptical of science’s ability to increase jobs.
Use this lens to help anticipate reaction to science in a country across three horizons, and contemplate what that infers about the role of science in contributing to a country's future.
Planning
Conduct further secondary research, commission contextual research or plan public engagement intervention to better understand:
Location and distribution of religious populations
Relative importance of religious leaders in the country compared to cultural and political leaders
Relevant religious and traditional practices, knowledge and beliefs
Historical scenarios where religion and science have conflicted
Planning
Conduct further secondary research, commission contextual research or plan public engagement intervention to better understand :
Historical incidents of mis-conduct of science and technology which might be coloring public perception
Prominence of scientists at a national level
Indicators which help explain stability of national institutes over time
Map informal and formal science communication networks
Planning
Conduct further secondary research, commission contextual research or plan public engagement intervention to better understand:
Size and distribution of socio-economic segments
Everyday contextual challenges faced by the most vulnerable members of society
Community’s expectation of everyday utility
Current distribution of benefits from existing and scaled interventions / solutions
Planning
Conduct further secondary research, commission contextual research or plan public engagement intervention to better understand:
Hopes, beliefs and preferred visions of the future from communities
Possible socio-economic impact of new advances on relevant communities
Communities most likely to be left behind
Alternative, context specific trajectory of development
Climate change adaptations taking place at the grass-roots level
The Lens Of Benefits
Conduct further secondary research, commission contextual research or plan public engagement intervention to better understand:
1. Size and distribution of socio-economic segments
2. Everyday contextual challenges faced by the most vulnerable members of society
3. Community’s expectation of everyday utility
4. Current distribution of benefits from existing and scaled interventions / solutions
The Lens Of Future Economies
Conduct further secondary research, commission contextual research or plan public engagement intervention to better understand:
Hopes, beliefs and preferred visions of the future from communities
Possible socio-economic impact of new advances on relevant communities
Communities most likely to be left behind
Alternative, context specific trajectory of development
Climate change adaptations taking place at the grass-roots level