Science Communication and Trust - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9819612918 ISBN 13: 9789819612918

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2025

Synopsis

This open access book presents groundbreaking research, offering new empirical findings, showcasing a range of different methods, and advancing theoretical perspectives relating to science communication and trust. The investigation of science communication and trust is enhanced by the many international scholars and disciplinary approaches featured. The book includes three thematic sections: the first focuses on the role of trustworthy science communicators, the second is concerned with the varying contexts of science communication for trust, while the third unpacks various features of trust in science. The volume thus provides the reader with invaluable insights into the highly salient topic of science communication and trust.

About this title

About the Author

Antoinette Fage-Butler is an Associate Professor at Aarhus University whose research centres on the communication of science, risk and trust. She is Principal Investigator of the (Mis)trust of Scientific Expertise project, funded by Aarhus University Research Foundation. She wrote the book Risk and Responsibilisation in Public Communication of Contemporary Crises (Routledge, 2024) with funding from Carlsberg Foundation. Circle U. funding supported a project she led that explored students’ future narratives of sustainability.

Loni Ledderer is an Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University. Her research encompasses organisational change processes in healthcare organisations with a specific focus on technologies, care practices and participation in healthcare from the perspectives of users and health professionals. She has extensive experience in interdisciplinary research and collaboration across organisations and is part of the (Mis)trust of Scientific Expertise group.

Kristian H. Nielsen, Associate Professor in Science Communication and Science Studies at Aarhus University, specializes in scientific expertise in public debate and science communication. He leads work packages in two EU projects on citizen science and open and responsible research and innovation, and is part of the (Mis)trust of Scientific Expertise group. In 2022, he co-organized the Engaging Citizen Science Conference and co-edited its proceedings. His recent work appears in journals like Public Understanding of Science and Science as Culture.

From the Back Cover

Science Communication and Trust is a thought-provoking volume that thoroughly explores ‘trust’ and ‘distrust’ in science in relation to science communication, and that will act as an important intervention into public and policy discussion of these topics. I look forward to using it in my teaching and beyond!

Sarah R. Davies, Professor of Technosciences, Materiality, and Digital Cultures, University of Vienna

Trust is a key concept for understanding science communication; yet, it is often the object of stereotypes and prejudices, particularly about (alleged) mistrust in science. The book edited by Fage-Butler, Ledderer and Nielsen is a much welcome contribution to clarify and articulate the multiple dimensions of this concept.

Massimiano Bucchi, Professor of Science and Technology in Society, Director of Master SCICOMM, Università di Trento, Italy

This timely, genuinely multidisciplinary, volume explores the neglected dynamics of trust in science communication. By highlighting the contextual factors that shape trust in science, the book offers fresh insights into how public trust can be fostered or, conversely, eroded and thus, deepens our understanding of the complex relationship between trust in science and the strategies for communicating its findings. 

Maria Baghramian, Professor of Philosophy, University College Dublin

This open access book presents groundbreaking research with new empirical findings, diverse methods, and advanced theoretical perspectives on science communication and trust. Enhanced by international scholarship, its three thematic sections ― trustworthy science communicators, contexts of science communication, and aspects of trust in science ― offer invaluable insights.

Antoinette Fage-Butler is an Associate Professor at Aarhus University whose research centres on the communication of science, risk and trust.

Loni Ledderer, Associate Professor at Aarhus University, investigates change processes in care practices and participation in public health.

Kristian H. Nielsen, Associate Professor at Aarhus University, specializes in scientific expertise in public debate and science communication.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9819612918
• ISBN 13: 9789819612918
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 552
• Editor: Fage-Butler Antoinette, Ledderer Loni, Nielsen Kristian H.