In August, the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University released a study into community attitudes to science. Commissioned by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, the national survey gathered insights into the Australian community’s overall engagement with science and its awareness of the benefits of science to society.
The survey also explored the attitudes of Australians to specific issues, including vaccinations, the use of animals in scientific research, genetically modified foods and climate change. Overall, the results of the survey were positive, with ninety per cent of Australians believing that science has made life easier.
At the same time, almost half of us feel that change has come too quickly.
Based on responses from 1203 Australians, the survey entitled Australian Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Science canvassed a range of views on science and science-related matters including vaccinations, genetically modified foods, fracking and climate change.
More than 70 per cent of respondents reported being “fairly well informed” about science and 80 per cent said the benefits of science were greater than any harmful effects. Most agreed that scientists contribute to the wellbeing of our society and 85 percent respondents believed that parents should be required to vaccinate their children.
When it comes to climate change, eighty per cent of respondents believed there was solid evidence the world has been warming the last few decades, with more than half of these people saying this was due to human activity. Seven out of ten Australians were opposed to fracking
The survey asked how regularly working people used science, technology, maths and engineering skills and found that:
- More than 90 per cent used technology skills at least a few times per week
- 80 per cent reported using maths skills regularly
- 50 per cent used science skills and
- 40 per cent used engineering skills.
With 80 per cent of people reporting they had conversations about science at least once or twice a month, the survey results suggest that public engagement with science could be improved given the relevance of science to most aspects of life.
In August, the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University released a study into community attitudes to science. Commissioned by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, the national survey gathered insights into the Australian community’s overall engagement with science and its awareness of the benefits of science to society.
The survey also explored the attitudes of Australians to specific issues, including vaccinations, the use of animals in scientific research, genetically modified foods and climate change. Overall, the results of the survey were positive, with ninety per cent of Australians believing that science has made life easier.
At the same time, almost half of us feel that change has come too quickly.
Based on responses from 1203 Australians, the survey entitled Australian Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Science canvassed a range of views on science and science-related matters including vaccinations, genetically modified foods, fracking and climate change.
More than 70 per cent of respondents reported being “fairly well informed” about science and 80 per cent said the benefits of science were greater than any harmful effects. Most agreed that scientists contribute to the wellbeing of our society and 85 percent respondents believed that parents should be required to vaccinate their children.
When it comes to climate change, eighty per cent of respondents believed there was solid evidence the world has been warming the last few decades, with more than half of these people saying this was due to human activity. Seven out of ten Australians were opposed to fracking
The survey asked how regularly working people used science, technology, maths and engineering skills and found that:
With 80 per cent of people reporting they had conversations about science at least once or twice a month, the survey results suggest that public engagement with science could be improved given the relevance of science to most aspects of life.
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