The POIESIS expert interview study included 119 scientific communicators and researchers from the seven countries participating in the project. This study explored how scientific information is transferred from the laboratory to the general public through ‘chains of mediation’. It investigated the role of scientific integrity and citizen integration in research in fostering public trust in science. The study gathered recommendations from experts about how to strengthen public trust.

The Spanish POIESIS INGENIO team (CSIC-UPV) interviewed a total of 17 experts, 11 mediators and six researchers. Three participants were institutional mediators, science communication professionals working in research performing organizations. The other eight were non-institutional mediators, such as science journalists, writers and bloggers. These experts either professionally (4) or as amateurs (4) transmit scientific information to citizens. The six researchers interviewed were divided between two case studies, climate change and Covid-19.

Interviews with non-institutional mediators such as journalists highlighted that they directly use scientific literature published in academic journals in preparing their own outputs. They also use a variety of strategies to verify the quality of scientific information they use, including consulting experts in topics such as ethics, or relying on their interpersonal contacts with trusted scientists or colleagues. Mediators employed by research organisations to publicise the work of scientists have other mediators such as journalists as the target of their work, rather than the general public. These different positions in chains of mediation can be seen to shape the work and creative process of individual mediators.

Interviews with researchers reflected distinctly different patterns regarding the communication of climate change science and COVID-19. Climate change communication has a decades-long history and the researchers involved are aware of the dynamics and controversies that have affected communication in this field. The experiences reported by Covid-19 researchers were very much marked by the emergency situation and the need to communicate information immediately, continuously and intensively.

In general, researchers considered that citizens have a positive perception of science and view scientists as trustworthy. The vast majority of researchers also reported having a positive perception of the communication carried out by third parties and especially by professional science journalists. Regarding practices to involve and integrate citizens in research and science, researchers also shared a positive view of citizen participation. Nevertheless, some researcher also voiced reservations or perceived limits to citizen roles in particular situations or contexts. Several researchers advocated a greater investment and effort be made to open research up to citizens, arguing strongly that involving the public in the design and development phases of research that is relevant to their lives and communities was the next step that needs to be taken to strengthen science – society relations.

For a comprehensive overview of the research findings and recommendations, please see the Spanish and global report at https://poiesis-project.eu/deliverables/.