Yesterday, I had lunch with a colleague at a favorite BBQ spot in Arlington. Both of us work in science communication, so naturally our conversation drifted to the question that’s been nagging at many of us: why has public trust in scientific institutions declined in recent years? By the time we finished our, actually healthy food, we’d both come to the same conclusion—the current way scientists communicate with the public might be contributing to the problem.

From vaccine hesitancy to questions about research reliability, the relationship between science and society has grown more complex. To understand this dynamic, we need to examine not only what people think about science but also how different cultures approach the validation of knowledge itself.

Harvard scholar Sheila Jasanoff offers valuable insights through her concept of “civic epistemologies”—the cultural practices societies use to test and apply knowledge in public decision-making. These practices vary significantly across nations and help explain why scientific controversies unfold differently in different places.

American Approaches to Knowledge Validation

Jasanoff’s research identifies distinctive features of how Americans evaluate scientific claims:

Public Challenge: Americans tend to trust knowledge that has withstood open debate and questioning. This reflects legal traditions where competing arguments help reveal the truth.

Community Voice: There’s a strong expectation that affected groups should participate in discussions about scientific evidence that impacts them, particularly in policy contexts.

Open Access: Citizens expect transparency in how conclusions are reached, including access to underlying data and reasoning processes.

Multiple Perspectives: Rather than relying on single authoritative sources, Americans prefer hearing from various independent institutions and experts.

How This Shapes Science Communication

These cultural expectations help explain some recent communication challenges. When public health recommendations changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, this appeared to violate expectations for thorough prior testing of ideas. Similarly, when social platforms restricted specific discussions, this conflicted with preferences for open debate over gatekeeping.

In scientific fields like neuroscience, these dynamics have actually driven positive reforms. When research reliability issues emerged, the American response emphasized transparency solutions: open data sharing, study preregistration, and public peer review platforms. Major funding agencies now require data management plans that promote accountability.

Interestingly, other countries have addressed similar scientific quality concerns in different ways. European approaches have relied more on institutional reforms and expert committees, while American solutions have emphasized broader participation and transparent processes.

Digital Platforms and Knowledge

Online platforms have both satisfied and complicated American expectations. They provide the transparency and diverse voices people want, but the sheer volume of information makes careful evaluation difficult. Platforms like PubPeer enable post-publication scientific review that aligns with cultural preferences for ongoing scrutiny; however, the same openness can also amplify misleading information.

Building Better Science Communication

Understanding these cultural patterns suggests more effective approaches:

Acknowledge Uncertainty: Present science as an evolving process rather than a collection of final answers. This matches realistic expectations about how knowledge develops.

Create Meaningful Participation: Include affected communities in research priority-setting and policy discussions, following successful models in patient advocacy and environmental research.

Increase Transparency: Share reasoning processes and data openly. Open science practices align well with cultural expectations for accountability.

Recognize Broader Concerns: Understand that skepticism often reflects deeper questions about who participates in knowledge creation and whose interests are served.

Moving Forward

Public skepticism toward science isn’t simply a matter of misunderstanding—it often reflects tensions between scientific institutions and cultural expectations about legitimate authority. Rather than dismissing these expectations, we might develop communication approaches that honor both scientific rigor and democratic values.

The goal isn’t eliminating all skepticism, which serves essential functions in healthy societies. Instead, it channels critical thinking in ways that strengthen our collective ability to address complex challenges that require scientific insight.