Welcome to this Special Issue of EuroScientist on: Trust!
There is no better time to revisit trust issues than during a lingering recession. In such period, trust is put to the most stringent test. And those with the decision making power in the publishing industry, the wider economy, politics and policy have yet to improve their relationship to those they are trying to impress, should they finally be awarded the share of the trust they are courting.
As an attempt to explain the various causes of the ebb and flow of trust, we first explore trust towards academic publishers. Specifically, we look at the attempts by academic publishers to restore trust among the scientific community by offering web-based technologies that offer tangible benefits to researchers. Besides, looking at another facet of the trust equation in publishing, we also focus on the international efforts to get all clinical results to be published—regardless of whether they are positive or negative.
In addition, we focus on the issue of trust towards institutions. A unique testimony from the president of the International Press Association in Brussels gives an account of the intense lobbying taking place there. Further illustrating the point, is an investigative piece exploring how multiple pressures from stakeholders and within the Commission have hampered the regulatory progress towards introducing greater transparency in legislating for products with nanotechnology components.
Getting one step closer to society, the issue of public trust in science is also explored. Ortwin Renn, risk guru from the University of Stuttgart, explains how effective risk communication strategies can help restore public trust in many areas of life. This piece is complemented by a perspective on how public perception of science’s ties to economic and political interests leads public mistrust in science. Finally, a contrasting opinion piece accounts of the fact that trust in science is no longer eroding in Europe.
And finally, don’t miss our editorial, which should give you food for thought to reflect on the nature of trust.
Enjoy reading this special issue and don’t forget to share it!
The EuroScientist team
Download a free PDF version of the article and spread it!Editorial
Unscientific elements of trust trivia
By Sabine Louët, EuroScientist Editor.
Greater transparency, for greater trust
The virtual road to recovering trust in academic publishing
By Arran Frood, science journalist, UK.
When negative data fails patients by publication omission
By Anthony King, science journalist, Ireland.
Institutions, no longer trustworthy
Mistrust towards policy-makers, not misplaced
By Ann Cahill, International Press Association, Belgium.
Suspicion-laden paralysis over new nanotechnology labelling and register
By Christian Meier, Aitziber Romero and Dino Trescher, science journalists, Germany.
Ebbing public trust in science
Ortwin Renn: Managing people’s risk perception to build trust
By Ortwinn Renn, University of Stuttgart, Germany.
Science dilemma: between public trust and social relevance
By Hans Peter Peters, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany.
Trust in science and scientists is not eroding in Europe
By Martin W Bauer, London School of Economics, UK.
Featured image credit: Yurij Seleznev via Shutterstock
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