Why trust is a key ingredient in scientific innovation

By  Bronwyn Adams 2 June 2025 4 min read

Australia is facing some of the biggest challenges in our history: climate change, food security, energy transition, and the prospect of more pandemics and digital disruption with the rise of AI and quantum technologies.

Given the urgency of these far-reaching challenges, there has never been a greater need for scientific and technological innovations – but they will only make a positive impact if society trusts and accepts these innovations, and the people and organisations delivering them. 

Trust is a contentious space but Australia is well-placed

Trust in institutions has been declining for decades worldwide, fuelled by disruptive global events such as war, financial crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of misinformation spread via social media.

But a recent study found Australia has one of the highest levels of trust in scientists globally, ranking equal fifth, and political orientation doesn’t affect trust in science, unlike most Western nations.

This gives us a strong foundation – and a unique opportunity – to explore trust in science and technology so innovations can be embedded in society for the benefit of all.

An evidence-based approach to creating trust

Leaders from across the science and technology sector gathered in Brisbane on 27 May at CSIRO’s Trust in Science and Technology 2025 event to take a deep dive into the complex world of public trust and its influence on innovation.

The gathering marked the culmination of seven years of CSIRO research led by Dr Justine Lacey, Research Director of the Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform.

“People sit at the heart of innovation, not just the people who drive it, but the people who benefit,” Dr Lacey said.

“CSIRO has a long history of scientific innovation – but with great innovation comes great responsibility. How can we ensure we are developing innovations that are trusted, fit for purpose, safe and truly needed by Australian society?”

Dr Lacey and her team undertook a series of national surveys across three waves, in 2021, 2022 and 2024, capturing the views of a nationally representative sample of Australians to determine why the public would trust organisations like CSIRO, universities and industry partners to deliver responsible innovation for the nation.

The four drivers of public trust

Dr Lacey said the team found four statistically significant drivers of public trust: governance arrangements, research ethics and integrity, responsiveness of scientists to society, and organisational risk management practices.

“Research organisations create trust by complying with ethics requirements and demonstrating broad research integrity and responsible conduct of research,” Dr Lacey said.

“Organisations also need to show capacity to identify adverse outcomes early, manage risks appropriately, including social and ethical risks, and have the right contingencies in place if something goes wrong.

“Governments build trust by enacting legislation and regulations that ensure organisations performing research are being held to account.

“But the most significant driver of trust occurs when society is confident that scientists carefully consider the implications of our innovations, and that we are genuinely open to engaging with diverse perspectives and even potentially changing our work based on feedback from broader society.”

Expectations of socially beneficial outcomes

Greater trust in the sector in turn leads to expectations that research will deliver socially beneficial outcomes, so the team also tested whether the public believes science and technology research is delivering these outcomes now.

“The public does generally trust that the sector is doing science for good reasons and targeting future problems,” Dr Lacey said. “But there was one statement the majority of people disagreed with: that science and technology is reducing inequalities in society.

“I think this is the next big heartland of my research.”

The role of the national science agency

As Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO has an essential role to play in building and maintaining public trust in the science and technology sector. Chief Executive Dr Doug Hilton AO reflected on specific ways CSIRO could fulfil this role in a discussion with Anna Maria Arabia, Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science.

“Consumer engagement is crucially important – we need to talk to the community before doing research to learn what impacts they expect from the work and consider this when designing programs,” Dr Hilton said.

Dr Hilton said there is a role for organisations like CSIRO and the Australian Academy of Science to lead discussions on emerging technologies of concern to the public, such as AI.

“I’ve heard from people that AI will be a godsend that changes the world, while other people think it will be the end of the world,” Dr Hilton said. “I remember the same debate about recombinant DNA a few decades ago, but the outcome of these new technologies almost always lies in the centre.

“There are already great benefits to come from AI, such as automating radiology diagnoses – we need to share these with the public while also acknowledging and examining the drawbacks.”

A brighter future paved by public trust

As Australia and the world grapple with wicked problems, it is not enough for governments, research organisations and industry to develop innovative solutions. The sector must ensure that these solutions have the confidence of society.

CSIRO research has identified evidence-backed ways in which organisations can build trust in the sector through regulation, integrity, risk management and public engagement. By pulling together as a sector and a society, we can face these challenges head-on and create a brighter future.