Abstract

Amid voices to stand up for science to protect its common values in existential times for science, this introductory chapter provides an overview of the 10 chapters comprising this book. Drawing on insights from three European Commission-funded projects—VERITY, POIESIS, and IANUS—an interdisciplinary team of researchers from philosophy, psychology, ethics, data science, political science, along with different stakeholders, has collaborated to shed light on the issue of trust in science. We argue that trust in science has a complex, multifaceted, multiactor, and context-dependent nature that must be approached as such—both for studying and understanding it, and for finding ways to foster it. The chapter provides a roadmap through the book’s examination of theoretical frameworks, measurement challenges, public perceptions, institutional perspectives, and policy implications. Throughout, there is consensus on the need to develop a more nuanced understanding of trust in science and approaches for bringing science closer to society, developing a robust ecosystem of trust where, through public participation, science becomes responsive to societal priorities and citizens’ concerns. When research demonstrates such responsibility and responsiveness, a reciprocal relationship of trust emerges wherein science and society mutually reinforce each other.