CGEE presents data from the 2023 Public Perception of Science Survey at the National Meeting on the Popularization of Science.

Encontro Nacional de Popularização da Ciência - Centro de Eventos do Brasília Imperial Hotel, Brasília (DF)

The Center for Management and Strategic Studies (CGEE) participated, on Tuesday morning (02), in the National Meeting for the Popularization of Science and State Coordinators of the More Science at School Program. The event is being held by the Secretariat of Science and Technology for Social Development (Sedes) of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).

On that occasion, the project leader of the Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory (Octi/CGEE), Adriana Badaró, participated in the panel "Assessment of the implementation of the National Program for the Popularization of Science and Analysis of the Public Perception of Science Survey." She presented data from the 2023 Public Perception of Science Survey, a request from the MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation) to the CGEE (Center for Geography and Statistics).

The survey revealed that the topics of greatest interest to Brazilians continue to be medicine/health (77.9%), the environment (76.2%), and religion (70.5%), while politics, although still low, showed significant growth (32.6%). The study shows that social networks are the main source of scientific information (39.8%), replacing television, and points to an increase in participation in cultural activities linked to science, such as visits to science and technology museums (11.5%). Despite this, knowledge about the national scientific system remains limited: only 17.9% spontaneously mention a research institution and 9.6% remember the name of a Brazilian scientist, although this has increased compared to 2019.

The data also highlight challenges such as the spread of misinformation: 50.8% say they frequently encounter fake news, and 36.5% have already shared false news. Even so, the population maintains a positive view of science: 66.2% believe that the field of science and technology brings more benefits than harm, and there is broad support for increased public investment in the area (only 2.6% advocate for cuts). The research also highlights a high level of concern about climate change—95.4% acknowledge that it is occurring, and 60.5% see it as a serious danger—as well as diverse perceptions about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and nuclear energy.

The Directorate for the Popularization of Science, Technology and Scientific Education (Depec) is leading the meeting, which takes place in the MCTI auditorium until December 4th.