How gender norms shape women scientists’ confidence in public communication
What makes a scientist trustworthy and what makes them feel credible themselves?
Trust in science is increasingly crucial in an era marked by misinformation and polarized debate (Hendriks et al., 2020; Gurzawska et al., 2024). At the same time, emerging data shows that women scientists remain underrepresented and underconfident despite public appetite for diverse voices.
Representation and confidence: The numbers
- In 2023, women made up only 41.3% of employed scientists and engineers in the EU projects. This represents a notable gender gap in fields where credibility and authority matter.
- The share of women STEM graduates rose modestly from 15.7% in 2014 to 17.9% in 2022. Progress, but still far from parity.
- Across the EU, female scientists are better represented in some countries (e.g., Spain at 50%, Denmark at 50.8%) and underrepresented in others (Hungary at 30.7%, Italy at 34.1%).
- Importantly, more than 8 in 10 EU citizens (83%) view science and technology positively, indicating strong public trust and openness to diverse expert voices.
Despite positive attitudes, women still face a confidence gap, a common issue echoed in UK data where 43% of girls aged 11–16 report lacking confidence in science compared to 26% of boys. This seems to mirrors what we see among professional women scientists in Europe.
The “Credibility Paradox”
Our VERITY research confirms that women are often trusted on ethically specific and sensitive topics, like climate change or public health, where empathy is valued (Bian et al., 2017; Fiske & Dupree, 2014). Yet many report lower self-confidence in public communication roles (Christensen, 2023; Cross et al., 2016), citing:
- Institutional undervaluation of outreach work
- Emotional labor expectations (warmth, relatability) tied to gender norms
- Fears of online scrutiny and backlash (especially on controversial topics) (Corsbie‑Massay & Wheatly, 2022)
- Persistent stereotypes and lack of structural support (Steele, 1997; Davies & Horst, 2016)
Pathways to Change
Our preliminary findings confirm effective interventions:
- Early career training and science communication programs, especially those tailored for women, can significantly boost confidence (Baram‑Tsabari & Lewenstein, 2017).
- Visibility of female role models matters, not just for young scientists, but for audiences shaping attitudes toward women in science.
- Creating supportive institutional frameworks to counter emotional labor, digital backlash, and boost recognition of communication efforts.
🔬 Calling all women in science! 🌍
How do gender and identity shape your experience with public science communication?
The VERITY Project is conducting a confidential survey to explore how women scientists across disciplines and countries perceive and engage in science communication. Your insights will help shape future tools and recommendations to build trust in science and support equity in communication practices.
We want to hear from you if you are:
- Working in STEM, social sciences, health sciences, or humanities
- In academia, research, government, NGOs, or industry
- Involved or interested in communicating science to non-expert audiences
The survey takes 10–15 minutes and is anonymous and GDPR-compliant.
Your voice matters. Help shape a more inclusive and trusted science communication landscape!!