📋 Tender Overview
A new Eurobarometer survey on European citizens knowledge and attitudes towards science and technology released today shows that 9 in 10 EU citizens 86 think that the overall influence of science and technology is positive. They expect a range of technologies currently under development to have a positive effect on our way of life in the next 20 years notably solar energy 92 vaccines and combatting infectious diseases 86 and artificial intelligence 61.Furthermore results reveal a high level of interest in science and technology 82 and a desire amongst citizens to learn more about it in places like town halls museums and libraries 54. In many areas EU citizens interest in expectations of and engagement with science and technology have grown in recent years. Respondents most often mention health and medical care and the fight against climate change when asked in which areas research and innovation can make a difference. These results are in line with a growing interest in new medical discoveries which grew from 82 to 86 since 2010. Commissioner for Innovation Research Culture Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel said The overall positive attitude towards science and technology is reassuring as they are essential for responding to the coronavirus climate change biodiversity loss and a host of other pressing challenges. At the same time we need to respond to citizens concerns that the benefits of science and technology are not equally distributed to pay more attention to gender dimensions in research content and to explore how research and innovation can be conducted with higher involvement of the citizens and other stakeholders.The Eurobarometer survey also reveals challenges for research and innovation. Many EU citizens think that science and technology mostly helps improve the lives of those who are already better off 57 and does not pay sufficient attention to differences between womens and mens needs 23. More than half think that researchers in China 58 the US 57 and Japan 54 are ahead of researchers in the EU in terms of making scientific discoveries. Levels of scientific knowledge also show wide divergences across different parts of society.EU citizens have a positive view of scientists and their defining characteristics such as intelligence 89 reliability 68 and being collaborative 66. More than two-thirds 68 believe that scientists should intervene in political debates to ensure that decisions take into account scientific evidence.Most EU citizens get their information about developments in science and technology from television 63 followed by online social networks and blogs 29 and online or in-print newspapers 24. A large majority 85 believes that young peoples interest in science is essential for future prosperity. Additionally the majority thinks that involving non-scientists in research and innovation ensures that science and technology respond to the needs and values of society 61.Almost three-quarters 72 of respondents think that governments should ensure that new technologies benefit everyone and more than three-quarters 79 think that governments should make private companies tackle climate change.
