How concerned are you about food safety issues at present?

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Public Perceptions of Risk, Trust and Governance
ESRC Diversity Workshop, Feb 05 Nick Pidgeon,
School of Environmental Sciences, University of
East Anglia Survey Sponsors
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(No Transcript)
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The Survey

• Data collected July 2002 for UEA by MORI
• In England, Wales, Scotland
• Quota sampling at 125 points (total 1,547)
• Five sub-samples of about 300, each asked about
  one of the five risk cases

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The Survey

• Core sets of common questions
• Five sub-samples of about 300, each asked
  detailed questions about one of the five risk
  cases

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How important are these issues to you?
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Science and Society

• General attitudes to science and scientists
• Relationships between scientists and funding
• Public influence over science

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Optimism about Science
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Independence of Science
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Public Influence over Science
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Science and Society Summary Findings

• General attitudes to science remain positive
  (suggests other factors drive perceptions of
  highly contentious risk cases)
• But concern about independence of science and
  scientists (reinforced by findings on
  affiliations and trust)
• Clear desire for at least some degree of public
  influence over the trajectory of science (but at
  what level, values?, funding?, research
  priorities?)

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In general how do you feel about
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Trust and Governance

• Trust in information sources
• Involvement in decision making
• Evaluation of government

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To what extent would you trust each of the
following . to tell the truth about GM Food?
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To what extent . the following should be
involved in making decisions about GM Food?
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Evaluation of Government

• Factor 1 General Trust
• Doing a good job
• Is competent
• Has skilled people
• Acting in public interest
• Listens to concerns
• Makes fair decisions
• Provides relevant info.
• Listens to ordinary people

• Factor 2 Scepticism
• Distorts facts
• Changes policies
• Influenced by industry

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Programme on Understanding Risk (2001-2005)
Public Perceptions, Institutional Change and
Stakeholder Participation www.uea.ac.uk/env/pur