How much trust people place in science and scientists
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 1 to 4, 2026, 68% of Americans at least somewhat agreed that they trust science and scientists.
About one in five neither agreed nor disagreed at 19%, while 14% at least somewhat disagreed.
Topline scale
68% at least somewhat agreed that they trust science and scientists.
I trust science and scientists.
n = 1,000 · May 1–4, 2026 · MoE ±3.2%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 1–4, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.2% |
| Module | 1 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026
I trust science and scientists.
Cite this question
SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049, fielded May 1-4, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.