The effects of witnessing harassment of scientists on public perceptions of science

Although public trust in science remains relatively stable in most countries, there is growing concern regarding the potential damage that certain hostile forms of public discourse about science could inflict. These include accusations of fraud and conspiracies between scientists and political elites but increasingly also worrisome types of harassment such as uncivil credibility attacks, insults, and threats of sexual and physical violence. Naturally, harassment against scientists is not a new phenomenon. However, the digitization of communication, especially through the rise of social networks, has facilitated the sending of hate comments and made these attacks more visible.

Egelhofer, J. L., Seeger, C. and Binder, A. (2024). The effects of witnessing harassment of scientists on public perceptions of science JCOM 23(09), A01. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.23090201

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