Gender Differences in the Context of Trust in Science

Schröder, Justin T. (2025): Gender Differences in the Context of Trust in Science. Public Communication of Science and Technology Conference (PCST), Aberdeen, Schottland, 27.-29. Mai 2025.

Abstract

Female scientists are significantly involved in scientific progress, innovation development, and crisis management. However, female scientists do not receive the same recognition as their male counterparts. In science media coverage, women are presented differently compared to men, both quantitatively (e.g., general visibility) and qualitatively (e.g., through gender stereotypes). Moreover, public trust is a key variable for the public’s acceptance of scientific information, and media mediate public trust by using trust cues— linguistic markers that help the public evaluate whether scientists can be trusted. These cues address dimensions of trust in science: expertise, integrity, benevolence, transparency, and dialogue. Consequently, gender biases in science media coverage may influence the acceptance of scientific information based on the scientist’s gender. This highlights the need for a shift in science communication to ensure scientific information fully benefits society. Therefore, this research asks: How is trust in female and male scientists mediated differently in content about science? To identify trust cues and compare their use between female and male scientists, a qualitative content analysis using a deductive and inductive approach is applied to a sample (n=158) of science media content (e.g., journalistic and social media). The trust cues identified (n=1,329) aligned with the dimensions of trust. Comparing female and male scientists, similarities (e.g., emphasis on expertise when referencing a scientist’s qualifications) and differences (e.g., personal biography highlighted only for female scientists, scientific advice given predominantly by male scientists) in trust cues were revealed. Indeed, women more often face stereotypes in the context of public trust, potentially undermining the acceptance of their research. The presentation at PCST 2025 will discuss these gender differences in more detail, provide implications for scientists and communication professionals aiming to address gender biases, and foster a discussion on personal experiences of the audience tackling the transition in science communication.

• Dokumententyp: Konferenzbeitrag (Vortrag)
• Keywords: Science communication; Trust in science; Epistemic trust; Trust cues; Gender research; Female scientists; Male scientists; Expertise; Integrity; Benevolence; Transparency; Dialogue; Qualitative content analysis
• Fakultät: Sozialwissenschaften > Institut für Kommunikationswissenschaft und Medienforschung (IfKW)
• Themengebiete: 300 Sozialwissenschaften > 380 Handel, Kommunikation, Verkehr
• Sprache: Englisch