Advancing responsible innovation: new models and measures for public trust in science
For our research to deliver benefits across society, public trust in science is critical.
Australia’s 2024 National Science Statement, A Future Made in Australia, casts this issue forward.
It describes how future-proofing science means preparing it for challenges like declining trust in institutions and the rise of misinformation. And it emphasises that earning, maintaining and protecting trust in science will underpin Australia’s future prosperity and national security.
So what does it take to inspire public trust, especially in future science and technology? This question has been in focus for the Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform over the past five years.
Breakthroughs in public trust
In our Public Perceptions of Responsible Innovation project we have recently published two breakthroughs:
- The first statistical model linking public perceptions of responsible innovation, trust, and societal expectations, and
- A psychometrically validated scale to measure public perceptions of responsible innovation.
Based on a survey with over 4,000 Australians, our team set about identifying the key factors that drive public trust in the research and innovation sector. This included including public, private and philanthropic research institutions).
Our ultimate aim? To validate a new approach for measuring responsible innovation, from the public’s perspective.
Unpacking public trust in future science
Public trust in science is complex. Most research examining trust in science focuses on why people should trust science or whether the public does, in fact, trust science.
Our research focused on identifying what factors underpin public trust in future science.
In turn, we examine public expectations that future science will produce socially responsible outcomes; that they are safe, sustainable, and don’t magnify or create new inequities in society.
We specifically looked at the role of four key elements in driving trust and expectations of socially responsible outcomes:
- The practices of scientists in demonstrating responsiveness to society: anticipating risk, (re)evaluating their plans, including other perspectives, adapting or adjusting activities when needed.
- Compliance with research ethics protocols and standards: research integrity .
- Confidence in the risk management effectiveness of institutions developing future science and technology: internal risk controls such as ability to identify and mitigate risk, having appropriate contingency plans in place.
- Confidence in the formal governance of institutions developing future science and technology: external risk controls applied through legislation, regulation.
What we found
Our research found that trust in scientists and research institutions is strengthened when we can clearly demonstrate these four elements: responsible and responsive practices, compliance with ethical standards, effective governance, and the ability to effectively manage risk.
Risk management includes identifying and managing potential social and ethical risks associated with future science and technology.
Trust and risk management effectiveness also drive expectations of socially responsible outcomes.
Our model explains almost 80% of public trust in the sector and 70% of expectations of socially responsible outcomes, which gives us a high mitigating level of confidence in these findings.
Measuring responsible innovation
Alongside this new model, the team also wanted to operationalise the principles of responsible innovation into measurable practices.
The statistical model highlighted that the responsible and responsive practices of scientists are important to public trust.
Foundational academic work on responsible innovation identified the dimensions of Anticipation, Inclusivity, Reflexivity and Responsiveness (AIRR). These are critical for directing scientific innovation toward socially beneficial and ethically sound outcomes.
Building on these dimensions, the team identified a need to be able to measure what constitutes responsible innovation in real-world settings and particularly, in the eyes of society.
Through two waves of national surveys of the Australian public, they produced the first validated scale for public perceptions of responsible innovation.
The ability to measure public perceptions and expectations of responsible innovation provides a framework for researchers and institutions to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and alignment with societal needs: key drivers of public trust.
This ground-breaking tool enables researchers and practitioners to assess how innovation aligns with societal values in real-world contexts.
Implications for future science
These findings are not just theoretical. They are practical tools for shaping a future-ready science system. By applying these models and measures, researchers and institutions can actively build and sustain public trust.
As science and society tackle future challenges, this alignment will distinguish trusted organisations that deliver meaningful, equitable, and sustainable innovations.
Ultimately, this ensures that science and technology drive fairness, prosperity, and well-being for society.
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